Cinderella – The Civic Panto – Review
by Brian Merriman

Dates: 6 Dec – 7 Jan
Duration 2 hours and 15 minutes including the interval

Panto’ is often billed as ‘best ever’ but this year’s Civic Theatre production of ‘Cinderella’ is a definite step up. Panto’ is the heartbeat of many a community and this heart is pumping with real strength and rhythm in Tallaght until January.

‘Cinderella’ requires a ‘Disney Princess’ in the title role and with Keila Ana Whelan, that’s exactly what we get. She is a porcelain doll who can sing, dance and act. Her vocals are seamless and she acquits herself in a manner that every little girl there, would want her to.

Joe Jennings is a fine ‘Prince Harold’, suitably stuffy at the start but with comic timing and a warm charm as he grows into the love interest. Comedy is in the capable hands of high energy ‘Tickles’ the irrepressible Kevin Keeley, delighting in the traditional ‘Buttons’ role.

There is no political correctness in having ‘Ugly Sisters’, but Robert Downes was so much more comfortable in this role this year, aided and abetted by a fine debutant in Aidan Gavin who is every bit a ‘twin’ for ‘Dame Dottie’ as ‘her’ sister ‘Lottie’. They were a great team, with good comic timing and delivery.

Sarah Harvey switched sides this year and she made a delicious and glamourous Baddie as ‘Malaria’. Never phased by the compulsory boos, she made booing a particular challenge with her fine vocals…but the audience did its best to admonish her after their enthusiastic applause.

Zooming down from the North was our ‘what about ya’ Fairy Godmother. Erin Coghlan had a great look as ‘Strawberry Jam’ and was always timely to lend that crucial helping hand, with strong vocals and smooth movement in the well-pitched routines by Aoife Carney.

The Civic always gives a great opportunity to the next generation of young singers and dancers to learn their craft in the all singing and dancing on-stage chorus. They really could do with more young men to support the lone Ciaran Hayden in the ensemble.

The story was modernised suitably as ‘Strawberry Jam’s modern day crisis was no wi-fi! There was a good score under Elaine Gallagher, though a few more up-tempo numbers in the place of the ballads would really have the audience rocking in the aisles all night. The music selection was from the charts, musicals and screen, and a good dose of Queen…well we were in a Kingdom!

Multi-tasking Panto’ artist Rob Murphy’s professional stamp was visible throughout. He writes, directs and co-produces with flair and empathy. He strikes the right note in his community.

He honours all his commercial sponsors from the Square, as is necessary, with some witty raps. The leap forward in standards of this company was noticeable with a ‘Cinderella’ that will entertain, amuse and delight audiences of all ages.

All the essential Panto’ ingredients are there to ensure Tallaght is well served by this production from its local theatre. Many make their first visit to a theatre through Panto’ – may it start them on a journey to support spaces like the Civic that are the cultural heartbeat of the community throughout the year.

Produced by The Civic Theatre and Rob Murphy
Written and Directed by Rob Murphy
Musical and Assistant Director: Elaine Gallagher
Choreographer: Aoife Carney

Starring:
Robert Downes as Ugly Sister Dame Dottie
Keila Ana Whelan as Cinderella
Kevin Keeley as Tickles
Joe Jennings as Prince Harold
Sarah Harvey as Evil Stepmother Malaria
Aidan Gavin as Ugly Sister Lottie
Erin Coghlan as Fairy Strawberry Jam