Cinderella Bristol Hippodrome Pantomime Review 2018

Cinderella Review Bristol Hippodrome Pantomime:

11/12/2018 at 7pm

It’s a Proper Job panto at The Bristol Hippodrome this year, with Bristol sitting firmly at the heart of it from the very start.

Brian Conley as Buttons and Gok Wan as The Fairy Gokmother, make the perfect comedy team in this sparkling show. It utilises Conley’s comedic strengths and Gok Wan’s natural flamboyance.

This year’s Qdos Entertainment pantomime is written by Michael Harrison and Brian Conley, with additional material by David McGillivray. It keeps things light, fresh and uses traditional storytelling throughout.

With big numbers, glitzy set, glamorous costumes, nods to popular culture and a strong ensemble of brilliant dancers it was thigh-slapping fun. But, the narrative, whilst not faltering with the comedy, did miss opportunities for traditional audience interaction.

I was relieved not to see real horses taking Cinderella to the ball this year. In their place, we had an illusion so stunning that the audience gasped in unison. Full sized white horses galloped in the air above the Stalls, a real wow moment.

Lauren Hill as Cinderella and Scott Mobley as Prince Charming, were the perfect fairy tale couple in this rags to riches traditional Cinders panto.

But it was Ben Stock and Neal Wright as the Bristolian Aren’t We Gorjass Ugly Sisters, who really stole the show. They were the perfect partnership who would make a brilliant comedy show of their very own.

It’s a relief to see the Hippodrome continuing with a show that just about brushes through without cultural alienation or cheap 80’s smut, though one ad-lib joke about Sylvanian Families was very ill advised.

Cinderella is on at The Bristol Hippodrome until Sunday 06 January 2019. It really is a magical family show that is brilliantly done. Everyone will enjoy it.

For more information or to book, visit: atgtickets.com/Bristol

Our Access Advice:
The pantomime is very loud. The music is loud throughout and there is intermittent stage pyrotechnics. The flashes usually occur when Gok Wan comes on stage although they did not actually bang. If you are facing the stage, the flashes occur at the front left.

There is a very large stage pyrotechnic at the end of the show when Cinderella and Buttons walk towards the back of the stage.

There were no sudden loud bangs during this performance.

At the end of Act One, there is an illusion which will be over the top of the audiences heads in the Stalls.

For children with additional needs who might struggle attending the theatre, there is a Relaxed Performance on Friday 04 January at 2pm.

 

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