Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella

This is a sparkling production of a refreshed interpretation of Cinderella which will delight children and engage adults.

The musical is not one of the Rodgers and Hammerstein blockbusters, but it has a rich score that was originally written for a television special. It is best known for the song In My Own Little Corner first performed by Julie Andrews.

For the Broadway revival in 2013 writer Douglas Carter Beane gave the musical a bit more edge than traditional adaptations. He left Disney’s dancing mice out altogether - although Cinderella sings that she is as meek and mild as a mouse.

Instead, Cinderella charms the prince with kindness, the fairy godmother is a beggar woman shunned by all apart from Cinderella, and a new character Jean-Michel (Josh Gardiner) fights both for justice in the kingdom and the heart of one of Cinderella’s stepsisters.

There is also a new villain, the character of Sebastian is a corrupt adviser to the royal household portrayed with a Rasputin like flourish by Sound of Music original Nicholas Hammond.

Having already had outings in Melbourne and Brisbane the production is running beautifully.

Cinderella (Shubshri Kandiah) and Topher (Ainsley Melham) both sing with tight vibrato and have a natural on-stage chemistry reviving their theatrical romance from Aladdin. They also lead the gorgeous choreography including a showstopper at the ball when all the ladies are held aloft.

In a shift from traditions, one of the stepsisters Gabrielle (Matilda Moran) is on the sensible side, giving Charlotte (Bianca Bruce) all the opportunities to be obtusely ghastly which she lets rip with large dollops of hilarity.

The Fairy Godmother Marie (Silvie Paladino) steals scenes with her electrifying singing, flying over Cinderella’s journey to the ball adorned by a glass horse drawn carriage in Impossible/Possible, then soaring to new heights in There’s Music in You.

Also impressive was the trumpet like declarations of Lord Pinkelton (Daniel Belle).

A few sprinkles of magic added to the splendour with on-stage costume changes a knockout.

Audience members were having a ball.

David Spicer

Photographer: Jeff Busby