PMA Productions Ltd Quality, Dynamic, THeatre, Film & talent

There is a smashing mix of magic, mirth and mayhem in the Municipal Hall's Cinderella. Regular producer and co-writer George Critchley, who also plays Buttons has again brought together a fun-loving team which knows how to do panto.

Playing Cinders is Lynne-Marie Haslam and she is involved in the banter and routines more than most Cinderellas are. They can seem annoyingly aloof and self-absorbed but this Cinders can make merry.

Particular credit must be given to Melody Fielding who stepped in, at very much the eleventh hour, to play the Fairy Godmother. She is terrific. Nikki Woollard plays both Dandini and Lady Morticia, the wicked step-mother, with great comic effect.

The characters remain traditional but they are joyfully embellished. Director Matthew Townsend keeps everything brisk but one or two songs could be cut. Not that the is anything wrong with the singing, the songs just seem superfluous and the audience would prefer more of Critchley, whose appearances are apart of Christmas for many Colne families.

The Stage, January 23, 2003