In recent years, Hammersmith has been going to the panto ball in some style, teaming fine writers with ace directors to produce festive shows that have an eye for pantomime’s strong traditions but also prove the form can go in new directions.
This year playwright Tom Wells and director Ellen McDougall have produced a show with a strong local streak, some contemporary twists to a familiar story, lots of sparkle and a simple but show-stopping transformation scene. The Fairy Godmother may warn Cinders that “the magic runs out at midnight”, but in fact it’s running all the way through to 3 January.
I always reckon that a panto without a proper dame has a lot of ground to make up, but the bonuses here are a particularly wicked stepmother, played tonight by understudy Katharine Bennett-Fox as a mix of petty domestic tyrant and social-climbing monster, and a delightful and goofy Cinderella from Krystal Dockery. She’s a thoroughly modern girl, with glittery Converses rather than the traditional glass slipper. Cinderella and the prince’s first meeting, on the shore under Hammersmith bridge, is a delight. “They’re your crabs,” she protests, when the Prince tries to help her find the ingredients to make a fish soup. “But I’ve given them to you,” he replies. Double entendre has seldom been handled so charmingly.
Samuel Buttery’s Buttons may be a little low-key, but he belatedly has his own transformation in which he finally finds his voice. It doesn’t all work: there are some missed opportunities and underpowered comedy, particularly in a really lacklustre slop scene. You either do the traditional slapstick with real heart or cut it. But overall it’s a warmly entertaining affair, confirming the Lyric’s role as a significant panto player.
- At the Lyric Hammersmith, London, until 3 January. Box office: 020-8741 6850.
