The tradition of pantomime is steeped in history and governed by theatrical rules that are sacrosanct and with John Savournin directing and writing a superb script, his seasonal offering Buttons, A Cinderella Story upholds these values. This is very funny stuff, mashing up the Cinderella, Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, Jack and the Beanstalk stories with a skill that was very poetic and got the required boos and hisses in all the right places. Creating a show with a clear adult vibe, Jamie Barwood as Betty, Jennie Jacobs as a wonderfully OTT Prince Charming and Eleanor Sanderson-Nash had the matter well in hand. There was a very creative and clever use of the Queen track Bohemian Rhapsody woven into the proceedings that was hugely comical but also respectable of the grandeur of that music. There is the slapstick, the innuendo-driven scenes that added a great fluidity to this show. A magnificent start and terrific addition to this year’s panto season. Very much worth a view.
Photos by Bill Knight
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Buttons, A Cinderella Story runs to the 5th January at the King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, London N1 1QN. Box office 020 7226 8561 kingsheadtheatre.com
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