MOST versions of the Cinderella story encourage us to believe that the happy ending goes according to plan.
The wicked stepmother throws in the towel, accepts defeat – and either packs her bags or, out of sight of young audiences, undergoes Grimm punishments in the wings. But Ed Robson's version, first seen at Cumbernauld in 2006, twists that tale in a cleverly scary fashion that sees poor Cinders victimised by her wicked step-mother yet again.
It all begins on the eve of Cinderella's wedding. She's dreamily waltzing around with her frothy frock in her arms when the malevolent Mandragorah smarms in, her sudden goodwill taken at face value by the bride-to-be. It's a trick of course. Mandragorah casts a spell: Cinderella awakens in a strange, enchanted forest, her memory totally gone.
Can anyone help? A bumbling old magician and his green apprentice are keen to try, so – with the help of two more forest-folk, a handy hamper full of appropriate props and costumes – they re-enact what they know of her past.
Does the sight of two men done up as her vulgar step-sisters jog any memories? A little. Meanwhile their mincing, primping and squabbling over glitzy shoes makes the audience laugh, a lot. But will she remember everything in time to get to her wedding?
The nicely-gauged switching to and fro between silly comedy and convincing menace keeps everyone hooked, even if some of the performances are a bit over-egged and shouty. But the story-telling is always clear, the audience's participation is positively encouraged – ensuring Cinders gets her happy ending after all.
HHH
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