Written by Annie Siddons and directed by Bryn Holding, this version of Cinderella has a great twist to the storyline. The production is set in the 1840s, during the industrial revolution, deep in Derbyshire’s beautiful countryside.
The audience is introduced to Cinderella, played by Aine O’Neill-Mason, whose father, played by Nicholas Shaw, goes to work on a new railway line, owned by Sir Thaddeus Maddox, played by Johnathan Markwood.
O’Neill-Mason is making her professional theatre debut in this role which is hard to believe as she conveys the character so well and so confidently.
Cinderella (real name Gabriella) is left with her greedy stepmother, played by Shelley Atkinson and stepsisters, Lavinia and Ottilie, with excellent performances from Roxana Bartle and Charlotte Rutherfoord.
The costumes and set really make this production, giving the audience a vibrant feast for the eyes. The stand out costume for me was crow-obsessed Ottilie’s goth outfit complete with bright pink hair.
This production (it’s not a pantomime for anyone who was expecting it to be) sees Cinderella caring for the family, making sure they are well looked after, despite her step-family’s evil ways.
There’s an extra twist to the stepsister plot – with Lavinia becoming more evil, while as time goes on, Ottillie becomes much more sympathetic to Cinderella’s cause, recognising the work she does.
As in the original, Cinderella loves all animals, and it was great to see the puppetry of Cinderella’s pet cat and the badger handled so well. The puppets were fascinating to watch on stage, especially their little mannerisms, like the nod of the head the badger gave to the audience as they left the stage.
Cinderella bumps into Micah, son of Thaddeus Maddox, in the forest. Neither of them let their true identity be known to each other.
In the meantime, Micah’s father organises a ball. Cinderella makes the dresses for the stepmother and stepsisters but does not arrange to go herself.
Cinderella then meets the mighty Moritasgus, a completely different take on the traditional ‘fairy godmother’. This character is played by Shelley Atkinson, who also plays the meddlesome stepmother Adelaide and the hilarious Vicar. Each one of her characters is so different but all excellent in their own right.
Atkinson has the audience in the palm of her hand with every one of her roles, which she plays to perfection.
Moritasgus gets Cinderella ready for the ball. The storyline follows the inevitable plot. Cinders goes to the ball, loses shoe, Micah searches everywhere for the girl who has lost such a beautiful shoe.
Meanwhile Micah’s father has been talked into organising a double wedding for him and Adelaide (even though she’s still married) and Micah and Lavinia.
Fortunately, Micah’s father sees sense and it all turns out right in the end for Cinderella and Micah.
The cast of eight actors and musicians work really well together, and it’s lovely to see the music integrated into the storytelling so well.
The young ensemble are also worthy of a mention in this cast, with their choreograophy and timing perfectly in time with the main cast.
Cinderella is at Derby Theatre until Sunday 31 December 2023.
Tickets £20.50 – £29.50 (Schools £14.50-£19.50)
