⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
20th September 2019
By Shaun Tossell
Club 11 London and Take Two Theatricals bring another classic musical in concert to Cadogan Hall, after enjoying huge success with their previous productions such as Carousel.
This time they bring Rodgers & Hammerstein’s version of Cinderella to the stage.
This is one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s lesser known works, with The Sound of Music, The King and I or Carousel usually being the show people most associate with the legendary duo.
Originally conceived for television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, it was seen by over 100 million viewers when it was first broadcast. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella has been remade twice since, in 1965 with Lesley Ann Warren and again in 1997 starring Brandy and Whitney Houston.
It was adapted and updated for the stage in 2013 where it opened on Broadway. This concert performance is the UK premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Club 11 London and Take Two Theatricals have absolutely outdone themselves in the casting department again.
Christine Allado stars as the titular Cinderella, her angelic voice was perfectly suited to the role and she sounded absolutely beautiful throughout.
Jac Yarrow was just as impressive as Prince Topher and his duet with Christine Allado “Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?” was a highlight.
Other standouts include Mazz Murray as Madame, Cinderella’s cruel stepmother. She stole every scene she was in and had the audience laughing with every snarky putdown and comment.
Jodie Jacobs was equally hilarious as Charlotte, Cinderella’s step-sister and had the audience eating out of her hand.
Also Diane Pilkington was delightfully charming as the Fairy Godmother, singing the show’s earworm number “Impossible; It’s Possible”.
This concert included rather beautiful projections, designed by George Reeve, that really added to the atmosphere of the show.
The real star of the show has to be the 21-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra, under the direction of Freddie Tapner, who made the score soar and made me yearn to see this production fully staged.
Club 11 London and Take Two Theatricals have done it again. This concert of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was magical, full of romance and humour. This show deserves to be heard and seen more and I really hope we get to see a staged version in London in the near future.
For more info on Club 11 London and their upcoming concerts & events – https://www.club11.london/
