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A camp and uplifting classic panto with great singing and little substanceSummary
Rating
Good
A Very Very Bad Cinderella describes itself as a musical parody but in actuality is a traditional pantomime version of the classic story with ‘adult’ themes and naughty language added to every line.
The emphasis of the show is the two ‘ugly stepsisters’, played by former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Veronica Green and Imelda Warren-Green, who gives a brilliant performance. Both are impressively entertaining, with cabaret-style audience interactions and beautiful renditions of pop songs. Warren-Green’s acting choices are extremely bold but fully committed, making for a well-rounded, believable and hilarious character. They are ably assisted by May Tether and Keanna Bloomfield and all four do their utmost to sustain the energy throughout the production.
The music consists of pop covers or popular musical theatre songs, all handled expertly by the performers and interestingly arranged by Lauren Hopkinson, with the occasional lyric parodied to fit the story. The highlight of this pantomime is certainly the quality of singing on show, with several moving moments in the story being sung.
Reuben Speed’s design really works: a small studio theatre becomes a sequined and glittery toilet. The two toilets on stage do feel a bit random, with only one brief reference to them at the beginning, but the set is a clear and slick transformative construction that meets the tone of the action well.
The style of the piece, however, is quite confusing. The writing is akin to a ‘funny’ hen-night or stag-do speech, with cheap but cheeky sexual jokes, but it’s performed as if to children. Obviously this is part of the fun of pantomime (‘It’s behind you!’), but this production is in a no-man’s-land, straddling between leaning into and using those classic panto devices ironically and rebelling against them, using truthful performance. This means it ends up doing neither.
The production is exceedingly self-aware, and perhaps too much so. Everything about the show – its plot, performers, design – is referred to constantly with asides. Admittedly, this is the comedy of the piece, which works – but it leaves a slight taste of a production not quite happy with where it is at. This is particularly true of the Fairy Godmother who doesn’t want to do the job of narrating the play when they appear in a pre-recorded video. The gag becomes wearing, especially when there is no need to anchor us in what is an abundantly clear narrative. Nevertheless the actors have fun engaging with the audience poking fun at the show.
The writing (Neil Hurst & Jodie Prenger) is in general weak. The production doesn’t lay claim to having a complex narrative, but the story struggles for a stamp of creative direction and it quickly becomes clear that the exact story of Cinderella is in fact the whole concept. Every time we approach something like a satirical or thought-provoking moment, it is quashed by over‑explaining or backing out from having any angle other than comedy.
The jokes mainly consist of one-liners that by nature are hit and miss, and these are particularly formulaic. The comic moments are, though, brilliantly crafted and do offer a bridge between the audience and the action, even if there isn’t much of a story for them to be offering relief from.
A Very Very Bad Cinderella is a poppy and slightly trashy night out. It’s a camp presentation of a fairy tale that is certainly cabaret as much as theatre; an office party that maybe needs a few drinks to enjoy. Saying this, there are some definite laugh-out-loud moments and the entire cast sing beautifully. If you love musical theatre songs you could very well love this.
Written by: Neil Hurst & Jodie Prenger
Directed by: Lizzy Connolly
Set & Costume Design by: Reuben Speed
Lighting Design by: Jack Weir
Video Design by: Sam Diaz
Sound Design by: Rob Atkinson
Musical Director: Lauren Hopkinson
A Very Very Bad Cinderella plays at The Other Palace until 7 January 2024. Further information and bookings can be found here.
