REVIEWED: Cinderella at the Opera House

Abi White | 12th December 2018

 

IT’s that time of year again… The kids are being good for Father Christmas, there’s no guilt in eating your body weight in mince pies and the Christmas songs are back in the charts. December is well and truly in full throttle and panto season is back in full swing at the Opera House in Manchester…

 

Taking on the classic Cinderella for this panto season, most of the celeb cast are local to the area. The star casting of Les Dennis and Connor McIntyre from Corrie seems to be drawing in the masses; all desperate to see the street’s baddie, Phelan, play one of the comical ugly sisters.

 

Pic copyright Phil Tragen 30.11.18

Act one opens with a cheerful, yet slightly cringe-worthy and awkward song, ‘At the Opera House’. Although it’s upbeat, it’s not really relevant to the plot and it seems as though the cast themselves feel awkward performing it. An opening should be memorable, but maybe not for this reason.

 

Shannon Flynn, famous for her presenting roles on CBBC and acting roles in Waterloo Road, takes on Cinderella. She’s sweet, funny, and perfect for the part. Following the traditional panto storyline, her best friend Buttons, played by Ben Nickless, adores her and will do anything to keep her happy. He’s also quite possibly the best and funniest ‘Buttons’ ever cast in a panto!

Pic copyright Phil Tragen 30.11.18. Prince Charming with Cinderella

The ugly sisters are also comically (and aptly) named Phelina and Michaela, and hilarious Corrie references are weaved throughout the whole show. Even upon their entrance, we learn the sisters’ dogs are named after their wives in Corrie: Gail and Eilleen! There are side-splitting spats mimicking Rita and Mavis back in the 70’s, and Phelina constantly jokes to Michaela: “I’ve had you once before, I can do it again…”

 

When Les and Connor are on stage, it’s hard to take your eyes off them; with the same being said for Buttons’ performance. The three characters are incredibly hilarious; both individually and as a three. When looking around at the audience, not one person has a straight face. Ben’s impersonations spark giggles that turn into hysterics when imitating the likes of Take That and Elvis Presley, and his comedy timings are bang on perfect.

 

Pic copyright Phil Tragen 30.11.18

With incredible special effects (I won’t mention too much) featured in the first half, the fairy godmother’s magic comes to life in the last scene of act one. Even as an adult, I was shocked and blown away just as much as the children in the audience when Cinderella’s dress literally changed in front of our very eyes with just a spin.

 

A talented accompanying ensemble complimented all the numbers alongside the Stadler Academy of Dance. Even donned with fabulously eccentric costumes, nothing was missed from this panto spectacular.

 

Gareth Gates, who plays Prince Charming, also holds his character; with excellent singing and jokes about his rivalry with Will Young. The final scene involving Prince Charming is a comically choreographed slapstick performance alongside the ugly sisters and Buttons and was quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.

 

This panto is packed with laughs, innuendos and Corrie jokes, with lashings of magic and fun. It must be one of the best pantos I’ve seen in years. Aside from the opening song, from start to finish every member in the audience was grinning from ear to ear.