The Spectacular Cinderella Comes To Newcastle

Cinderella and the Prince (Credit St Phillip's Facebook)

I am familiar with most of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musicals, going back to my school days where I took part in the annual school production of a Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical.

However, I did not realise that Cinderella is a Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical that they wrote for television in 1957, starring Julie Andrews, and redone in 1965 and 1997. It was then adapted for Broadway in 2013. 

The musical is based on the popular fairy tale Cinderella and tells the story of an orphaned servant girl who becomes a princess with the help of her fairy godmother. 

This last weekend I was privileged to see the opening performance of Cinderella in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. It is a huge full-length musical loaded with music and comedy put on by St Philip's Christian Senior College at the Newcastle Civic Theatre. 

I was impressed by everything about the show. Michael Cooper did an excellent job of producing this spectacular stage production of Cinderella. The 65 young people on the stage, and all those behind the scenes, were so talented. It was obvious that everyone worked together as a team, with no one person being more important than another. 

The young people did an excellent job on stage, from the leads to the chorus and extras. They all showed enthusiasm and professionalism from the minute they walked on the stage until they left. It was evident they were passionate about what they were doing and were enjoying themselves. I took particular note of the people in the background when the leads were singing - they did not stand there just doing nothing - they acted just as if the spotlight was shining on them. I was impressed with the quality of the male leads, whose singing and dancing was always excellent. 

The elaborate sets for Cinderella were and effective with a combination of traditional sets and digital projections utilised. The palace, gardens, village and Cinderella's home looked brilliant. The scene at the end of the first half where the pumpkin on stage was morphed into the coach was stunning. The stage crew did an excellent job of changing the scenery with a minimum of fuss and time delays. 

To back up the magnificent singing was the magnificent orchestra. The full orchestra cocooned under the stage provided the wonderful rich sounding music that suited the mood of each song sung. The orchestra is made up of talented present and past students, teachers and community members. 

The lighting was excellent, drawing our attention to the action on the stage. The colored, strobe and moving lights and special effect smoke provided spectacular staging. 

The costumes were lavish and colorful. They ranged from the simple village's clothes to the palace and ballroom elaborate costumes.

This musical is suitable for people of all ages, from very young children to grandparents and all ages in-between. During interval and after the show I listened to the comments the theatre goers made about Cinderella. They were all positive, summed up by one man who said "They always put on a very good show". 

Everyone who goes and sees this magical production of Cinderella will thoroughly enjoy the show and come away knowing that it is possible for all dreams to come true. 

I cant wait to see their next production of Matilda Jr in October,

Cinderella

Presented by: St Philip’s Christian Senior College Newcastle
When: Wednesday 28th June - 10:30am and 7:00pm; Friday 30th June - 10:30am and 7:00pm; Saturday 1st July -  2:00pm and 7:00pm.

Where: Civic Theatre Newcastle
Book Tickets: https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/what-s-on/all-shows/cinderella