'Cinderella' Review: A Mixed Bag of Magic and Confusion
The latest adaptation of Cinderella at The Rose theatre has all the makings of a magical night out - rapping mice, a flamboyant set, and catchy songs. However, beneath its sparkling surface lies a narrative that's as confusing as it is charming.
Chris Bush and Roni Neale have brought a modern twist to the classic tale, complete with a high-tech microwave that whisks Cinderella away to a fantastical world. But while this fresh take on the story has its moments, it also feels like a jumbled mix of pantomime and play.
The cast, comprised mostly of young actors from The Rose Youth Theatre company and six professional actors, deliver some standout performances. A trio of mice with a penchant for cheese bring much-needed comedic relief, while Jack Fernie shines as the delightful and convincing cat, Mr Bingles.
But it's when Cinderella returns to her real life that the story truly comes alive. Matt Winkworth's songs, which initially feel like skits, suddenly take on a deeper emotional resonance, capturing the pain and longing of a stepmum struggling to connect with her stepdaughter.
Kara Lily Hayworth brings depth to The Witching Hour, conveying frustration, sorrow, and longing in a way that tugs at the heartstrings. Maddy Hunter's portrayal of Cinderella is equally impressive, conveying the difficulty of navigating a blended family dynamic with nuance and sensitivity.
Despite these shining moments, the production ultimately feels like an awkward fit. Questions linger - why on earth would Cinderella want to attend a ball, let alone marry a prince? Why are her sisters reimagined as adult women? And what's the purpose behind the Prince's bizarre affliction that prevents him from recognizing faces?
It's only when the show shifts gears and delves into its themes of love and acceptance that it truly finds its footing. A beautiful story about the power of relationships is hiding in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered amidst the chaos.
Ultimately, 'Cinderella' at The Rose theatre is a mixed bag - equal parts confusing, charming, and beautiful. While it may not fully coalesce into a cohesive narrative, its standout performances and catchy songs make for a night out that's hard to forget.
The latest adaptation of Cinderella at The Rose theatre has all the makings of a magical night out - rapping mice, a flamboyant set, and catchy songs. However, beneath its sparkling surface lies a narrative that's as confusing as it is charming.
Chris Bush and Roni Neale have brought a modern twist to the classic tale, complete with a high-tech microwave that whisks Cinderella away to a fantastical world. But while this fresh take on the story has its moments, it also feels like a jumbled mix of pantomime and play.
The cast, comprised mostly of young actors from The Rose Youth Theatre company and six professional actors, deliver some standout performances. A trio of mice with a penchant for cheese bring much-needed comedic relief, while Jack Fernie shines as the delightful and convincing cat, Mr Bingles.
But it's when Cinderella returns to her real life that the story truly comes alive. Matt Winkworth's songs, which initially feel like skits, suddenly take on a deeper emotional resonance, capturing the pain and longing of a stepmum struggling to connect with her stepdaughter.
Kara Lily Hayworth brings depth to The Witching Hour, conveying frustration, sorrow, and longing in a way that tugs at the heartstrings. Maddy Hunter's portrayal of Cinderella is equally impressive, conveying the difficulty of navigating a blended family dynamic with nuance and sensitivity.
Despite these shining moments, the production ultimately feels like an awkward fit. Questions linger - why on earth would Cinderella want to attend a ball, let alone marry a prince? Why are her sisters reimagined as adult women? And what's the purpose behind the Prince's bizarre affliction that prevents him from recognizing faces?
It's only when the show shifts gears and delves into its themes of love and acceptance that it truly finds its footing. A beautiful story about the power of relationships is hiding in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered amidst the chaos.
Ultimately, 'Cinderella' at The Rose theatre is a mixed bag - equal parts confusing, charming, and beautiful. While it may not fully coalesce into a cohesive narrative, its standout performances and catchy songs make for a night out that's hard to forget.
[Dope Meme] Cinderella: When you finally find true love, but then realize you have no idea what your in-law expectations are 
[Sad Keanu] But seriously, can we talk about the Prince's weird face thing? 
Is he blind? Does he not see Cinderella?! 
[Singing Cat] BUT wait... who needs a prince when you have catchy songs and talented mice?! 
but u know what didnt sit right with me?? cinderella just kinda showing up at that ball outta nowhere 
like why wouldnt she tell her fam about it? and also the prince's face thing 
is it just me or does it feel like they took something from another movie and threw it in there? 
but overall its still a fun night out with great performances 
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... but on the other hand, maddy hunter as cinderella was really good 
... and those mice were hilarious 
. i dunno, maybe i just need to see it again to get what all the fuss is about 
and I gotta say, it was all over the place 
And don't even get me started on the Prince's face thing... what's up with that? 
. And those mice? Hilarious 
. Overall, it was a fun night out with my fam, but I'm not sure I'd go see it again... or maybe not 
. We can't always expect everything to fall into place, but with patience and an open mind, we might just find ourselves lost in the magic of life 
, but the story feels like it's trying too hard to be modern & relatable? Like, why would Cinderella voluntarily attend a ball with her evil stepmum lurking in the background? 
Still, the music is catchy & Maddy Hunter as Cinderella was lovely 
. Maybe I just needed to see it live to appreciate it more 
! Maddy Hunter's Cinderella was so relatable and Matt Winkworth's songs... ugh, I'm still humming them in my head 
. The cast was talented and the set was amazing 
? Still, I'd go see it again just for those mice