Sue Devaney puts on a wicked performance
OLDHAM Coliseum is widely considered as the true home of traditional pantomime and this year’s superb production of Cinderella continues that tradition with heroes, dames and the amazing Sue Devaney’s villain.
Penned by Fine Time Fontayne and director Kevin Shaw there are plenty of rib-tickling gags for young ones – and a few subtle ones for the adults.
The cast romp through the show with contagious enthusiasm delivering great slapstick comedy moments and memorable ad-libs that emphasise their togetherness.
The production includes songs from such as Ed Sheeran, ABBA, and This is Me from The Greatest Showman soundtrack.
Shorelle Hopkin’s Cinderella is bullied by the Squeezepockets’, wicked stepmother Vyella – Sue Devaney – and her vile daughters Pumpy – Fine Time Fontayne – and Trumpy – Simeon Truby, she has a well-meaning but weak father - Mitesh Son, a best friend Buttons - Richard J Fletcher, and a happy ending when she marries Prince Charming - Chanté Faucher.
The whole cast are on great form.
Rochdale’s Sue Devaney gives a tour-de-force as the wicked stepmother, with her range of facial expressions and amazing voice, she fills the auditorium, engaging the audience in much enthusiastic booing.
Shorelle Hepkin is a fantastic Cinders with a great voice and Nisha Anil impresses in her dual roles as Fairy Godmother and Dandini.
Fine Time Fontayne and Simeon Truby are side-splittingly the ugliest, most revolting, crudest and flatulent of ugly sisters.
I caught up with the wonderful Sue Devaney during her hectic schedule, she had this message for our readers:
“I love acting outrageously bad in panto. I think it gets rid of all my frustrations I feel in the real world!
“I also adore working over the festive season because by the time the show finishes Christmas and New Year have been and gone and I feel quite relieved!
“I dislike the vast consumerism and spending and excess consumption that December and January bring. So, I like to spread some nastiness in Oldham and then sit soft on my sofa and eat leftover sprouts in the New Year! Baaaaah humbug hahaha.”
Cinderella is on until Saturday, January 12, 2019, at Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom Street, Oldham OL1 3SW.
Phone: Box office on 0161 624 2829 (Open at 10am from Monday to Saturday). Email boxoffice@coliseum.org.uk or visit: www.coliseum.org. uk.