Cinderella

The pre-show hype around this show has been massive, “Worthing’s best panto ever” they said, “box office records broken” they exclaimed forgetting conveniently that the town used to put on two pantos (a unique selling point) and so naturally a panto loving public will go to the only one on offer. And let me be clear, it isn’t as good as previous years. Worthing Theatres are clearly committed to using the same production company year in year out, fine in itself and it makes commercial sense. However the danger is unimaginative productions and shows that run off the conveyor belt. And so it is that the Simmons father and son directors/writers/principle comedy act not only delivered old gags/sketches but tired old gags/sketches.

I saw parts of this show four years ago in town and with the same ‘mistake’, how we all laughed… then. Camilla Dallerup as Fairy Godmother is fine as is A1’s Mark Read (Dandini), however Dancing On Ice star Matt Evers (Prince Charming) is to acting what Laurence Olivier was to ice dancing. Unfortunately overall this was a decidedly lacklustre affair with all the sparkle of a dying Christmas tree light.

Pavilion Theatre, Worthing, 9 December 2015

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