Review: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Flash forwards a bit, we're finally here.
This version was first brought to our attention in the 50s via a TV movie starring Julie Andrews in the title role; and then back in the 90s starring Brandy and Whitney Housten. In 2013, a revised stage version went to Broadway, winning a Tony for costume design and being nominated for a further 9.
It's the fairy-tale everyone knows, but with some Rodgers & Hammerstein tunes. That's in all honesty the best way to describe it.
Whilst I've said before that many Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have a darker tone, this one that has the least dark undertone. There's a subplot of corruption behind the scenes, and the vive la revolution movement by Jean-Michel going all-out Enjolras, but it doesn't get fully resolved. You just have to assume the resolution from a costume change and that's it. This show at its heart is a magical fairy-tale and it KNOWS it. Let's face it - you go to see Cinderella, you get Cinderella. You don't go to see a happier version of Les Mis.
As there so many Cinderella versions out there, some classic and some... well let's say not so much...
(Looking at you Amazon). This version feels more like the Cinders everyone would know such as in the 1950 Disney classic, but also has the refreshing note of Ella not just looking for romance as a way out of her abusive situation.
Playing Ella is Grace Mouat (Legally Blonde), her first full time leading role, and perhaps surprising for those following her career to see she has this lovely classic tone to her voice perfect for Ella.
Her scenes with Jacob Fowler's Prince Topher were, well, charming, but it needed just a bit of extra chemistry building for me. I think the simplest way to do that would be to change the ensemble dance number in Ten Minutes Ago into a So This Is Love moment between Ella and Topher themselves, just so we see the romance between them budding a little bit more.
Following them is a small talented cast, many of whom are triple threats.
The one I must mention being my favourite performance is actually Katie Ramshaw, who plays one of the stepsisters, Charlotte
Putting obvious bias aside, Charlotte has a lot of the best lines from Douglas Carter-Beane's book. Not to mention she leads the most relatable song in the show, from my end anyway. The Stepsister's Lament. I feel you girl. Ramshaw was bratty, a bit dumb, and absolutely hilarious!
While I don't think this fairy-tale is perfect what it excels out is the creative team bringing in the magic.
Set and costume designer Elly Wdowski really leaned into this being a traditional fairy-tale, with gorgeous costumes in particular being what you would expect from a production like this. It did have some stunning moments too, mainly of course being Ella's dress post-transformation (many a gasp there), but I would like to mention the Fairy Godmother's dress as well. As Glinda says to Elphaba in Wicked, "Pink goes good with Green"
Speaking of magic touches, look out for the touches done by the video projections. Won't spoil them don't worry.
The best people I can recommend this to, other than of course fans of the show who have been begging for it to come to the UK, is families. Especially if you want an alternative to panto, as this has all the fairy-tale magic and fun you would expect from panto, without the "He's Behind You!" and other audience participation tropes.
Cinderella is bringing the magic to Manchester until 11th December.
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