A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
The long running pantomime at HMT is always a highlight in my calendar. With Alan McHugh and Crossroads Pantomimes at the helm you always know what to expect, lots of cheesy jokes, amazing costumes and special effects, some dance routines to catchy songs and a couple of people we have seen previously on TV. This year I was very excited to find that Joe McFadden was going to be on the cast as I have loved him since seeing him in The Crow Road all those years ago. As he had also been on Strictly Come Dancing this meant that there was a dance off, which is always a fun thing to watch! Although I think he and the professional dancers possibly had an advantage over our poor local pantomime duo of Alan McHugh and Paul J Corrigan. Although can you really beat the Birdie Song?
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Our second television star was Dawn Steele as the Faerie Godmother and she had gorgeous dresses and a stunning magic wand. She always entered the stage in a puff of smoke and the sparkle of fireworks adding to the magic. I must admit it was not until she mentioned Monarch of the Glen that I managed to place her, but I am not a big tv watcher so I often need to be prompted to know who people are!
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We were a bit disappointed by the commercialisation of this year’s pantomime, although that is just the way of the world these days of course. Fair enough the Just Eat bike, that one of the cast cycled in on, was at least part of a joke but the section of dialogue about a local jewellers as well as a whole song about one of the shopping centres, with a derogatory comment made about our other local shopping centre, seemed a bit much. I presume all of these companies were able to sponsor the show, which is a wonderful thing, and I realise this probably gave us the magic of the special effects. However it seemed a bit far away from the wholesome family friendly heart of a pantomime, especially to include advertising for fast food outlets.
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Cinderella was the usual fabulous show with amazing costumes and fantastic dancing. Even my teenager, who claims he is too old for pantomimes, admitted that he enjoyed it. Cinderella’s carriage had me close to tears as it flew across the Stalls, pulled by two gorgeous white horses. Danielle Jam made a stunning Cinderella, and as a brunette I was pleasantly surprised to see a non traditional cast choice as it is usually a girl with long blonde hair in this role. Julie Coombe and Helen Logan were brilliant as Mhairi and Eilidh McHardup and it was nice to get a mention of Gaelic alongside the usual use of Doric. Although unfortunately we struggled to hear what the “ugly sisters” were saying some of the time throughout the show.
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A great way to find your festive feelings and get in the mood for Christmas – oh yes it is! I especially loved the mentions of Aberdeen Football Club winning the Scottish Cup this year, a well justified local tribute! What an unexpected joy it was to sit in the cushioned seats of HMT chanting “Come On You Reds” with my football loving family, compared to sitting in breezy Pittodrie! The song with props in it that just gets crazier and crazier is always funny but this one seemed rather heart felt, especially with the wee clip of local hero Sir Alex Ferguson.
Further information: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/cinderella-2/
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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