Everyman panto review: Leah Barniville shines as Cinderella at hugely-enjoyable Cork show
Leah Barinville and Zach O’Brien in Cinderella at the Everyman in Cork. Picture: Darragh Kane
★★★★☆
The Everyman and CADA's interpretation of is more about meeting princes outside Penneys on Pana than pumpkins and pomp – but shur what else would we expect for a Cork panto, like? It nicely sets the tone: a familiar story, filtered through Leeside humour and local sparkle.
The effervescent Fiona Linehan scoots back into her beloved Peggy Twomey persona, this time as a FGIR (Fairy Godmother In Retirement), and the audience adores her - she might as well be Beyoncé in a housecoat.
It's a sumptuous show, with the core message: When you believe in magic, it believes in you. Our Cinders is kind, helpful - but don't worry, she's independent and strong too. Sing it sister.
And boy, can she sing. Leah Barniville is a standout in the titular role. She brings vocals that stop the giggles with proper goosebump stuff. Opposite her, Andrew Lane’s Buttons is fun, lovable, and shares his dream of world travel - to incredible places, you know, like Cobh and Killeagh.
The magnificent Michael Sands is the Baron de Notions who's recently lost the presidential election after taking advice from his buddy Trump. He commands the audience to bow in his best Montenotte accent - but we boo instead - oh yes we do! He pulls off one of the funniest scenes of the night when he decides he’d quite like a go in that glass slipper even if it means appearing as his imaginary sister. (He has a fine pair of legs on him, fair play.)
But of course the shoe only fits our Cinders, no matter how those horrible sisters Chloe and Zowie try to sabotague her, true love, with a little helping hand from Peggy, wins the day.
Highlights include Prince Charming (Graham McDermott-Wood) and Cinders' chemistry, and the costumes are outrageous in the best way – I am fully obsessed with Dandini’s hat collection. Cinders' transformation from scullery maid to her shimmering ballgown gets an audible “wow”.
The video inserts throughout are a clever modern touch, with Paul Byrne interviewing the panto characters and local legends, and Cinderella running home past all our favourite and familiar landmarks and shops.
The legendary Catherine Mahon-Buckley directs and produces and we're in safe hands.
The kids loved the high jinks and they're well catered for - everything from Pink Pony Club to K-Pop Demon Hunters and of course six-seeeeven.
But adults don’t go hungry either. A very camp Dandini assures us he has plenty of experience with balls, and the delivery alone deserves its own standing ovation. There's plenty of pop culture references to keep us guffawing - and that Coldplay concert kiss-cam reveal.
This is a proper family feel-good night, full of sparkle, silliness and soul. Buttons led us in a dance competition to Soda Pop to round off the evening. Apparently, the kids win, what a fix. So, come one, come all - and get ready to believe in magic.
- runs at the Everyman in Cork until Jan 11. Tickets €38.50 | Special offer nights €30 | Family of four €140 | Relaxed performance €25. The show starts at 7.30pm with interval runs until just before 10pm. See www.everymancork.com
