Panto Pals Pull Together

Nearly all of the cast in this year’s Epsom panto, Cinderella, were together last year, telling the same enchanting story at the Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury.

Producer John Spillers succeeded in keeping them together and bringing them to Epsom and that very special togetherness shines through in a show with no prima donnas and, more importantly, no weaknesses.

This is a show that benefits from the extra knowledge each cast member has of the others. It’s a panto family, with everyone bouncing off the others’ lines with great timing and characterisation. Ok, so the parents in the audience might find the script a little short on innuendo, but the kids will love it. The groups of brownies and the youngsters attending with their families certainly did when I saw the show.

Andy Pelos is back in Epsom as a loveable Buttons. He doesn’t win Cinderella, but surely he’s bound to find a partner before too long! Disney Channel discovery Samantha Dorrance is as cute a Cinderella as you could wish to meet; all sweetness and innocence and with a great singing voice which marks her out for fine future in musical theatre.

The Ugly Sisters – Mark Two and Jamie Steen – carry the show’s comic content and keep the audience spellbound with their increasingly bizarre costumes. They are hiss-worthy baddies who turn out alright in the end. Tania Whatley, the Fairy Godmother, trained at Epsom’s Laine Theatre Arts and gave us a polished performance Betty would have been proud of. Tom Yeats as Prince Charming and Stuart Earp as Dandini complete the stylish lead cast.

Local talent is well in evidence in this heart-warming little show. Laine-trained assistant choreographer Sam Linscott leads a talented group of dancers and the ‘aaah’ factor is provided by the some very young talents from the Kingston-based Arnould School of Dance and Drama. The school trains stage-struck youngsters in the Kingston, Surbiton, Chessington and Wimbledon areas and this year has provided both the Epsom and the Leatherhead pantos with some delightful dancers.  

Cinderella, at Epsom Playhouse until 8 January 2012; check www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk for times; box office: 01372 742555

Chris Wood is resident composer with Guest House Opera and editor of Epsom, Sutton and Cheam Time & Leisure.