Christmas Comes to Wimbledon
The author shares her experiences of Wimbledon’ s Cinderella.
Last night I travelled 140 miles from my seaside home by car to Wimbledon. Does that sound mad, just for a pantomime? Well this wasn’t just any pantomime, when I tell you that the cast consisted of Gareth Gates, Alistair Mc Gowan, and Joanna Page, you will realise why it was special.
I have been to many pantomimes, it is a ritual every year, but normally I go to my local theatre, the Marlow at Canterbury. For these guys I was prepared to drive further. I won’t bore you with the details of my journey on a busy Friday night. You can imagine. Suffice to say, that by the time I got inside, I was expecting the very best.
Joanna Page is a very pretty and delightful young lady, she has a pleasant singing voice, looks like a little doll, and makes a wonderful Cinderella. She is light on her feet, and her Welsh accent is very attractive.
Alistair Mc Gowan was great too, he is famed for his impressions, which he managed to slip into the show, and he danced well, and I was particularly impressed with his Razzle Dazzle routine. He proved he was more than just an impressionist with a very slick performance.
But the person who stood out for me was Gareth Gates. He went from Pop Prince to Pantomime Prince with the greatest ease. He was word perfect, which is no mean feat, as his stammer is not cured, just under control, and he would be the first to admit, he has bad days and good days. Well he had his lines learnt perfectly, no slip ups, and how brave he was to stand up there and do it!
As handsome princes go, I think he was the perfect choice, and I defy any woman to go there and see him, without falling for him! His voice, as always was amazing. I won’t list the songs, as it’s nice to go and hear them for yourself. He has a great sense of humour, which was apparent in his acting, and as for his dancing skills, well this guy can do it all, he is just so talented. He was perfectly cast with Joanna, they made a very believable pair of lovers, and I came out of there with the feel good factor, and the satisfaction of knowing that my journey had been well worth it.
I have to add that the American ventriloquist, and the supporting cast were also very good. This is undoubtedly the best pantomime I have ever been to! Would I go again? You bet!
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15 Comments
Mary Smith, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2008
What a great review, I was not sure if I should go and see this, I do like Gareth but was not sure if he be any good at acting. But your review certainly convinced me. I will book some tickets for my family and we will go.
Thanks.
ANN HARRIS, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2008
AS I HAVE RECENTLY HEARD THAT GARETH GATES IS TO TAKE OVER AS THE LEADING ROLE OF JOSEPH AT THE ADEPHI THEATRE IN LONDON , IT IS WONDERFULL TO HEAR HOW BRILLIANTLY HE IS PERFORMING ON STAGE AT WIMBLEDON THEATRE.
IT HAS TAKEN GREAT COURAGE AND DETERMINATION TO MASTER HIS STAMMER TO SUCH A DEGREE THAT GARETH CAN ACT SO WELL , ALONG WITH HIS AMAZEING SINGING VOICE AND DANCEING SKILLS. . HE WILL WIN THE HEARRTS OF ALL WHO GO TO SEE HIM PERFORME AND I PERSONALY CAN\’T WAIT TO DO NY LONG JOURNEY TO SEE HIM ON STAGE, IN CINDERELLA AND AS JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZEING TECHNICOLOURED DREAMCOAT.
I AM A FAN FOR LIFE, BRING IT ON GARETH!
Jessica, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2008
What a good report. I’ve been toying with the idea of going to see this Pantomime, but was a little concerned whether Gareth would be able to fulfil the acting. By the sound of your report I need not have worried. I love Joanna and have always been a fan of Gareth’s voice, so I think you’ve made my mind up for me. Shall be booking tickets for this now and also for Joseph.
June Campbell, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2008
Thank you for your report on the Cinderella Pantomine in Wimbledon, unfortunately I am unable to go but it sounds amazing.
I will be going down to London next year when Gareth takes over as “Joseph”. Gareth is very talented and has an amazing voice and I am really looking forward to seeing him in a West End musical.
Linda, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2008
Thanks for this great review of Cinderella in Wimbledon. It is lovely to read that all the cast were so good but especially that Gareth was amazing in every way. Knowing that he is a brilliant and natural entertainer with fantastic charisma, I had every confidence in his ability to pull off this role – and I am really pleased that he was so in control of his stammer. I can think of no-one better to play Prince Charming.
I am sure that Gareth will also make a perfect Joseph when he takes over next February. I shall be making the journey from Cheshire to see Cinderella and then again to see Joseph.
Joan Horton, posted this comment on Dec 8th, 2008
What a splendid review! I am pleased that all the cast did so well. As I am a great fan of the gorgeous Gareth Gates I have already arranged to go and see it and I have also booked for Joseph next year.
I am travelling all the way from Cumbria just to see these shows.
Danielle Bradbury, posted this comment on Dec 8th, 2008
I have to agree with u Carol – Gareth was so amazing in this panto. When I went to see him, bless, he forgot one of his lines and he was stood there looking around the stage before giggling and saying “And i have forgotton my line…” and giving us all the cheeky Gareth smile – but then he just got right back on track and carried on. In the past something like that would of started off his stutter but he was so good and professional – and I am so very proud of him.
A definate must see for people of all ages.
The best panto I have ever seen and the Prince Charming is one that everyone will fall in love with 
xx
Sylvia Bodley, posted this comment on Dec 8th, 2008
What a great review of Cinderella in Wimbledon,I have booked tickets to go and see this amazing show this week and i really cant wait.It`s lovely to know that the cast was all good,cant wait to see Gareth as prince Charming as i know he will have put in 110% as he does with everytink he does.x
Amy Tigwell, posted this comment on Dec 9th, 2008
also im another one who went on the first night of cinderella with my mum sally we both really enjoyed ourselves mum loved the ugly sisters, Gareth was amazing as always im looking forward to going again on 14th december and 18th january cant wait!!!
Valerie Brenchley, posted this comment on Dec 11th, 2008
Gareth Gates is the perfect hero as Prince Charming. He’s physically breathtaking and blessed with a natural talent. Carol’s review outlines this fact very well indeed.
Thankyou Carol for sharing your evening with us and a special thankyou to all the cast for making this pantomine a special treat — a treat that makes the audiance hunger for more.
Carly Brown, posted this comment on Dec 11th, 2008
Yesterday was the first time I have ever been to a panto and what a great way to start what will become a panto tradition!! The wimbledon pantomine of Cinderella was not only set in a delightful town, but brought together a range of famous faces who each brought something very special to the performance.
Once the curtains were up the show had capture the whole audience young and old, but boy we were in for a treat when Mr Gates made his first appearance. Not only did he look ravishing in his Prince Charming costume, but once he began too sing the stage came alive.
Although all the cast members each brought a different talent to the stage, I think that Gareth and his amazing courage outshone them all. For a man who suffered severly with a speech impediment only a few years ago to stand there in front of a packed auditorium and speak with easy was truly amazing.
I think that anyone who wants to see an exciting and breathtaking performance should definately head down to the show.
Mr Gareth Gates what a voice!!!!! Roll on Joseph!!
sarahjane, posted this comment on Dec 17th, 2008
great review and totally agree cinderella is a amazing show with a great set of stars.gareth gates makes the most handsome prince his dreamy hehe.joanna is sweet as cinderella and buttons is brill with his puppets too and alister with his impressions its a amazing pantomime and you sure do leave there feeling happy.
Maria, posted this comment on Dec 17th, 2008
Awww brilliant review carol,thanks so much for it,now i have been myself i can say it was absolutely brilliant,Gareth Gates was amazing,he is the reason why i wanted to go,i had never been to a pantomime before but it was well worth it not only cos of gareth but the rest of the cast were brilliant too,if anyone hasnt booked tickets yet and havn’t decided to i strongly reccommend you do.
Hayley, posted this comment on Dec 18th, 2008
Wow what a show it was amazing Gareth was fantastic at his performance in every aspect,he was adorable and funny,he is a very talented guy.All the cast were good the show was put together well a happy atmosphere my heart just melted when i saw Gareth and heard him sing it s a show well worth going to see your love it.
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Elaine, posted this comment on Dec 7th, 2008
I also attended the same pantomine on the first night and everything you have said about it is true and more.
I have never seen a more professional pantomine and I like you, go to one every year. Gareth Gates also stood out for me with his fine acting and beautiful singing and what fantastic songs, but won’t spoil it for people by naming them.
But what a star studded cast and all first timers in Panto.
Loved Joanna Page as Cinderella and Angus Deighton as Baron Hardup. Also I have never seen 2 funnier uglier or more over the top Ugly Sisters, they had me in stitches.
Great review Carol
In fact I loved the Panto so much so that I am going again on Sunday.