REVIEW: A Fairytale Without All The Hot Air (Except In The Balloon)

‘The Glass Slipper’ by Stephen Sharkey
at Northern Stage
28 Nov 2011 - 7 Jan 2012
a Northern Stage production
Directed by Erica Whyman

There’s nothing like a festive show to warm the cockles in the winter season, so I went to see one and what a show it was. The recognisable tale of Cinderella has been brought back to basics and then turned on its head, does that make sense? I’ll explain. By ‘basics’ I mean the show is stripped of all the crazy panto-ness we see these days, like flashy lights, sparkles and special effects. Northern Stage’s ‘The Glass Slipper’ uses the story and the characters to provide the sparkle with friendship, comedy and love – and not just smoochy smoochy love, but family love and love of oneself. By ‘turned on its head’ I mean the production had a contemporary and cheeky glisten, with a great mix of heart touching moments and tickling one liners.

Set in Newcastle, of course, in the 1780’s the story introduces Ella as a confident individual, more interested in travel than having a male companion. Ella is played by the fantastic Laura Riseborough, who gives her character a strong, funny and loveable personality. The ugly sisters, Charlotte and Euphronia, are delightfully cruel and surprisingly played true to their gender for once by Naomi Cranston and Giovanna Ryan. I could go through the whole cast with the highest of praise but I, and also you, would be here longer than we need to be, just take my word for it, they’re all great. Okay, one more mention, the comedy relief from The Suggestibles pair Ian Mclaughlin (as King George) and Bev Fox (as Augusta Snifflewick) was magnificent and King George’s fool of a footman, Mr Lightfoot played by Steven Jaan Pilman, gave some priceless moments between him, the mad King George and the audience.

The set was grand and vast but cleverly used. I had a little qualm about the vastness, but it’s because my eyes don’t like space not being used. But to be honest that is a compliment to the show in a weird way. The compliment being the show can be played in many different spaces and not just huge auditoriums or broom cupboards, but both! The use of simple live music reflected the piece nicely and the hot air balloon was eye watering, it very nearly stole the show from the cast, but not quite.

For the first half an hour I was sitting there wondering if I was or was going to enjoy this show because it seemed to get off to a slightly slow start. But it caught up with me soon after and swept me up, especially when the second half got going. Where the show lacked were things that probably shone on other nights. On the night I was there the audience didn’t seemed that invested in the story or characters, so at times it seemed a tad flat – on another night those times would be electric with a responsive audience.

What’s great about Northern Stage’s ‘The Glass Slipper’ is yes the quality directing by Erica Whyman, the impressive set by Angela Simpson, the catchy tunes by Sam Kenyon and the cracking words by Stephen Sharkey - but even more so the opportunities it creates. Northern Stage hands local acting students the chance to stretch their talents on a professional stage surrounded by professionals doing what they do best, which must be the best way to learn the craft in my book. The students from Newcastle College did not stand out as learners but seamlessly fitted in to the cast like they’d been doing it for years. The other opportunity ‘The Glass Slipper’ creates is for audiences to see something local and honest. The story is simple and full of beauty and is presented with heart, without the need of being shot out of a canon. It’s a treat!