Panto review: Having a ball with Cinderella at Cork Opera House
Frank Mackey as Nanny Nellie in Cinderella at Cork Opera House. Picture: Shane Horan
When Baroness Melania Hardup first stalks menacingly onto the stage, my little five-year-old buddy shrieks, her eyes wide in proper terror. Oh, this baddie is GOOD. Michael Grennell plays the fabulously nefarious wicked stepmother to perfection; he puts the vile in villain.
All the Cinderella cast are pitch perfect, including his royal majesticals himself, Frank Mackey, who has 17 years of pantomime under his considerable corset. As well as co-writing the script with director Trevor Ryan, Mackey returns as the inimitable Nanny Nellie, fairy godmother extraordinaire, delivering gags and giggles with impeccable timing and raucous humour.
Nanny’s rapport with the audience is a thing of beauty. When she gets turned into a bee (she was buzzin’, like) her routine of climbing up onto her hive and singing ‘Honey Honey’ has us rolling in the aisles.
There are tender moments too, Cinderella and Prince Charming’s rendition of Billie Eilish’s 'Birds of a Feather' is so sweet, made more meaningful by Megan Pottinger and Paul Wilkins’ undeniable chemistry.
The kids adore the mash ups, the lip syncs, the hoe-downs, the reworking of favourites from the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, Take That, Rick Astley - and a cameo by a certain blue cartoon heeler puppy nearly brings the house down. The effervescent Buttons is a joy to behold. An energetic turn by the talented Brian Ó’Muirí, bringing a touch of West End magic to the stage. Watch out for his 'Putting On The Ritz', rhyming it with gems like ‘Pop into Dunnes for the last few bits’, it’s a riot.
The gang aren’t afraid of getting down and dirty with the audience. The hilarious wicked sisters, the tantastic Taylor and Skylar, even kick a couple of people out of their seats and the whole cast do a Benny Hill-esque dash through the auditorium with the glass slipper much to the delight of the kids.
There’s plenty there for the adults too, with Enoch Burke turning up for the ball, reenactments of the Lennox’s queues, and enough double entendres to keep us guffawing into our programmes.
The special effects are sensational. I won’t spoil it, but a particularly powerful moment when Cinderella goes to the ball draws gasps of wonder from the audience. No mean feat in this age of AI and graphic gaming.
This panto proves old school can still wow, and there’s nothing like a live show to enchant and entertain. With a pacy storyline, sharp script, slick stage design, the brilliant band and creative costumes, Cinderella is a madcap, magical night out. I can’t recommend this show enough - it hits the mark on everything.
So, if you’re looking for a dose of festive family fun, go to see Cinderella - if you don’t, you’re a durty-looking eejit... OH YES YOU ARE!
- Cinderella runs at Cork Opera House Nov 30 - Jan 19. Tickets €25 | €39.50 | €42.50, plus booking fees. Family Pass from €145
