Review of Cinderella at Dundee Rep

Dec 6 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE award-winning Dundee Rep Ensemble has brought the classic rags-to-riches story of Cinderella bang into the 21st century, complete with a Royal Wedding and the X Factor.

This quirky Cinders re-working by Phil Porter combines many of the tale’s traditional elements, although the wicked stepmother is a bidie-in of a poverty-stricken lazy lump of a man, the Royal ball is a line-dance hoolie, and there is no Buttons on the scene.

Somewhat strangely, the story is set on a rusty old ship, The Floating Cassandra, converted into a retirement home for elderly magicians and their assistants. Cinderella toils aboard ship, serving porridge and tea and sorely missing her dead mother.

Matters get even tougher for Cinderella when the gold-digging Mrs Yarg and two daughters move in.

Meanwhile, back on dry land, the publicity-hungry Queen, deciding that a wedding would turn around the ebbing tide of public support for the Royal family, announces that a ball will be held to find the young prince a wife.

The ‘magic of the old’ conjure up an opportunity for Cinderella to go to the ball, with the help of Gavin the seagull. There is a twist in the tale before true love finally wins the day.

Directed by Dundee Rep’s artistic director James Brining, Cinderella is lit up by the acting of three long-time ensemble members, Ann Louise Ross, Irene Macdougall and Emily Winter.

Macdougall and Ross excel in the major mulit-roles they each play, especially the take by Macdougall of the queen who loves the prince but who loves fame and popularity even more. Her rap number was a show highlight, brining a big cheer from the audience.

Winter only takes one part – the horrible sister Miss Monopoly – with a wonderful take on that real-life publicity-seeker Katie Price.

There are lots of little tricks magicked into this production, including Gavin the seagull and the quirky decks of the Floating Cassandra, part of Neil Warmington’s revolving set design. The cast members who have to perform aloft on its sloping upper deck deserve bravery awards!

Cinderella continues until December 31.

Alison Anderson