Cinderella and Prince Charming have not changed.
Cinderella remains the lovely, sweet pushover she always was, and he is as dashing and dandy as ever. There is some comfort in that because the rest of the story has gone completely, delightfully awry.
Thus we have the Drayton Entertainment version of Cinderella with a British pantomime twist. It wraps up the remarkable 2008 season with laughter and wonder. The effort to enchant everyone from children to grandparents is a rare success.
In the original story by the Brothers Grimm, Cinderella (Aschenputtel) her stepsisters cut off their toes to fit into the shoe and eventually have their eyes pecked out by pigeons for their “wickedness and falsehood.”
Lessons were hard learned. Nothing was funny.
In the Drayton Entertainment version, these stepsisters are replaced by two of the most hilarious figures known to the stage; Daisy and Buttercup. They are the gaudy, demuring, homely embodiment of ridiculous. Played by Drayton favourites Douglas Chamberlain and Paul Brown, the characters are riotous, loveable villains of farcical glory.
A hitherto unknown friend for Cinderella other than her cute woodland pals is Buttons played by the one and only Fred Stinson, of Big Comfy Couch and Drayton fame. His enthusiasm is unaffected and infectious and he engages the audience to participate, cheer, and boo with abandon.
Jackie Mustakas plays the classic Cinderella with grace, while Kyle Blair plays Prince Charming just so. Their singing duets are high points on the musical side of the show, along with the talents of Peter Aylin and the orchestra.
The Fairy Godmother is played with authority and wily humour by Susan Johnston Collins. Cinderella’s Dad, Baron Hardup, is played with impressive British pomp by William Fisher.
There are many gratuitous moments unrelated to the story though serving as simple entertainment between scenes. There is everything from ventriloquism to steam bath shrinking, and stepping in and out of time periods with Wal-Mart and Stephen Harper getting in on the act. The British pantomime allows for much flexibility in the name of entertainment.
The onstage depiction of the magic that is Cinderella is accomplished with great originality and does not disappoint. For example the stagecoach is revealed to gasps of delight from young and old. The sets by Jean Claude Olivier are innovative and flowing. The painted forest backdrop is particularly beautiful. Costumes by Monique Hodder are appealing and periodic.
This show was written, directed and choreographed by the multi-talented Trudy Moffatt.
A happy ending for all.
Tickets can be ordered by calling the box office at 519-747-7788 or 1-888-449-4463, or visit the web site www.stjacobscountryplayhouse.com.
