What a joy it was to be back at Southbank for the opening of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Tuesday night.
The traditional storyline holds true here with some embellishment: the addition of shadowy advisors to the Prince’s court, one played by legendary child star of Sound of Music film fame, Nicholas Hammond. And Cinderella’s step sister, Gabrielle’s love interest in the form of radical, anti-royal Jean Paul, while other sister Charlotte pursues the Prince.
Costuming is a spectacle of colour and tulle. The ingenious way the production has devised for the leads to switch costumes in a matter of seconds makes up for one or two questionable ball gown designs.
The sets are simple yet effective, accompanied by animal hand puppets that poke their noses out during the song and dance numbers. Later, they play an integral part of Cinderella’s transformation for the ball in a most amusing way.
Cinderella’s return from the ball is a superb piece of choreography. The combined energy of dance and the swirl of ball gowns focus attention away from the set change and another surprising costume change – all to be back to normal before the evil stepmother’s arrival.
Ainsley Medlam is a natural as Prince Topher and brings humility and humour in equal measure. The expressions that run across his face made it difficult for me to look away sometimes. Shubshri Kandiah’s Ella and Medlam’s Prince have wonderful chemistry together.
Also worthy of mention is Bianca Bruce who is outstanding as Charlotte. Bruce throws herself completely into the role to produce laugh out loud moments.
Best to avoid parking lot closures and roadworks in the area by taking a cab or public transport.
Cinderella is now showing at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre until 3 September 2022.
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