Review: Cinderella, Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone

by Angela Cole

Gags, music and dancing, scary bits and the obligatory “He’s behind you” are all in the Hazlitt Theatre’s pantomime. But it was the hilarious expression on the face of one of the Ugly Sisters which stole the show as far as I was concerned.

As pantomime dames go, Peter Brad-Leigh ticks every box; as masculine as they come, with comic timing and unpredictability, which one man in the front row definitely paid for. But it was the expression he pulled as he stood with fellow Ugly Sister Jimmy Burton-Iles which kept me, and those sitting around me, laughing even when there were other gags going on around him.

As is often the case, the first half was slightly slow to get going, but the second half more than made up for it, with one particular scene taking audience participation to a new level – although I won’t spoil it for anyone by giving details. All the stars turned in excellent performances, with Danny Young as Dandini definitely getting the mums’ vote on the night, and Chris Edgerley’s Buttons carrying the bulk of the lines with ease.

Chloe Madeley’s Cinders was very sweet, and the clever casting of Christopher Chandler as the prince meant her quiet singing voice was more than made up for by his strong, dependable one. As ever with Blue Genie Productions, staging, lighting and music were spot on and the dancers didn’t put a foot wrong.

Cinderella runs until Sunday, January 13. Tickets £13.50 to £16. Box office 01622 758611.