Get ready for a new adventure of Cinderella at Derby Theatre this Christmas!
A trip to the theatre is a wonderful way to kick start the festive season and this year we were invited to review Derby Theatre’s Christmas rendition of Cinderella, adapted by Annie Siddons and directed by Bryn Holding.
The stage was beautifully set in the 1840s amidst the backdrop of the Derbyshire green hills. A large clock hung above the stage representing the passing of time and real Christmas trees adorned with fairy-lights presented a cosy and festive ambiance.
The narrative unfolds traditionally with Cinderella (Áine O’Neill-Mason) missing her late mother and grappling with her father’s remarriage to extravagant stepmother (Shelley Atkinson) a character filled with lavish desires! Cinderella’s father, Joseph (Nicholas Shaw), eager to support his new wife and her daughters, decides to leave the family home in search for work on the railway, leaving Cinderella with very demanding step-sisters.
Cinderella is instantly likeable with her Derbyshire accent and happy-go-lucky approach to life. Her love for the Derbyshire countryside creates an opportunity for her to meet keen rambler Micah (Jason Yeboa) who is out and about exploring the peaks. They instantly share an interest in nature, but Micah fails to share his true identity – the successor of a railway business and the majestic Maddox Hall.
Inevitably Cinderella discovers Micah’s dishonesty and turns to nature for solace. This is when the tale takes an imaginative turn with help from an injured badger! The badger magically transforms into ‘Goddess Moritasgus’ (Shelley Atkinson), adding a creative spin to the conventional fairy-godmother, and offers Cinderella three magic apples – but will she use them wisely?
Micah feels disheartened by Cinderella’s loss of trust and wants to earn back her respect. Seeking a second chance, he asks his father Sir Thaddeus Obadiah Maddox (Jonathan Markwood) if they can host a Winter Ball for the railway workers at Maddox Hall, including Cinderella’s father, in the hope Cinderella will also attend. However, in true fairy-tale style, the step-sisters secure the invitation and Lavinia (Roxana Bartle) sets her sights on Micah and Maddox Hall for herself!
Lavinia was certainly the villain of the show, adding intrigue with her insatiable desire for opulence! She wanted to marry Micah and nothing would stand in her way! The young members of the audience really disliked her, and she was booed many times! In contrast, step-sister Ottilie (Charlotte Rutherfoord) was a kind natured Nu-Goth who had a fascination about death and ravens!
The stage designs throughout the production were fantastic and brought the story to life. Maddox Hall looked particularly majestic and resembled stunning Derbyshire stately homes. The costumes complimented the era of the 1840s perfectly with railway attire and ball-gowns for the Maddox Hall Winter Ball. The amazing puppetry of Igor the cat and the badger goddess added a fun dimension to the production.
SuRie’s amazing compositions were performed beautifully by the multi-talented cast and a personal favourite of ‘Rise Up’ by Áine O’Neill-Mason and Shelley Atkinson gave me goose-bumps! Micah’s beatboxing was zesty and harmonious performances from the entire cast contributed to the musical delights of the show.
Before the clock strikes twelve, I must share with you that this was a well thought out modern adaptation of Cinderella! So, if you’re looking for a captivating story, enchanting performance and musical brilliance, this show is a must see this festive season.
"a captivating story, enchanting performance and musical brilliance, this show is a must see this festive season." - DerbyDaysOut.co.uk
