ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

of female characters who sang some good up-tempo numbers. Completing the Hardup family were the two wicked step-sisters, Gertrude and Grazelda, played superbly and for laughs by Ashley Hamp and Ian Loi Mason. I always think that the key to a good duo of Ugly Sisters is the match - that one does not dominate

the other but each give the other space and time to deliver their funny, wicked, innuendo-filled dialogue. These two did, both supporting each other in the

scenes, working as one to give the audience what they want, laughs and time to boo and hiss at their horrible treatment of poor down-trodden, innocent Cinderella. The delivery was big, brash, overacted and larger than life, just like their costumes and hair. These two actors gave me everything I look for in a dame role, I thoroughly enjoyed every scene they were in. The Brokers Men of Bodgett and Leggett were two young actors, Zara Bradley and Mary Ellis. While most of their entrances were used to cover up scene changes, they confidently engaged with the audience and provided an amount of silly slap-stick to the proceedings. They stressed and pointedly delivered their gag punchlines. I have written before that pantomime gives an opportunity for young members of cast to experience delivering lines to an audience, something to be encouraged in my view. Lines had been written into this script, with the authors permission. Some additional dialogue was given to members of the young cast, Fairy Belle, Bubble and Squeak played by Izzy Taylor and Phoebe Valentine respectively. The youthful company of chorus and dancers filled the stage. Though the choreography was simple, it was suited to the stage environment and space. The singing, under direction of Rebekah Tomkinson, from the