Soho Cinders
Charing Cross Theatre
24th Oct 2019 to 11th Jan 2020
“When impoverished student Robbie (Luke Bayer) becomes romantically involved with engaged London Mayoral candidate James Prince (Lewis Asquith), his lap-dancing step-sisters become the least of his problems! James and Robbie’s worlds collide forcing them to fight for their own fairy-tale ending. Celebrating London’s most colourful district and mixing politics, sex-scandals and true love, Soho Cinders is a deliciously naughty musical update of the Cinderella fairy tale boasting an infectious score with Music by George Stiles and Lyrics by Anthony Drewe with Book by Anthony Drewe and Elliot Davis.”
Review by Richard Lambert, 4 Stars
The star of this show is undoubtedly Lewis Asquith as the Mayoral Candidate for London. With a soothing voice like honey, and beautiful pitch and singing tones, he’s very dreamy and prefectly cast for both Marilyn and Robbie to fall in love believably and undeniably. It helps that his character is a gentle soul, misunderstood, and struggling with life’s issues.
The book is brilliant! Anthony Drewe and Elliot Davis have written such a clever twist on the traditional Cinderella story while removing the crass panto song sheet, child-on-stage participation, and kitchen scene it’s everything an adult would want in a pantomime! Music by George Stiles completes the show without it feeling high-brow or latest pop song!
There are a lot of other key players at work here – Adam Haigh provides energetic dynamic choreography with a large cast in a relatively small stage. Justin Williams‘ Set successfully disguises the venue infrastructure providing for interior spaces and Soho Streets. Costumes that are both period and larger than life by Nicole Garbett enhance throughout and give Soho Cinders a lush expensive quality. The lighting rig by Jack Weir is sophisticated and extensive with some truly lovely moments. However it is also very dark throughout, even in the jubilant ballroom and finale moments it fails to lift when the mood suggests. With many faces in shadow, actors performing outside of the lit areas and a focus set below the heads it significantly reduces the otherwise high-quality of the production. It does make you wonder what the Director Will Keith sees when he watches the show. If they fix the lighting this would easily be a 5 Star Production!!!!
The orchestration was glorious and beautiful! Sarah Morrison as Musical Director and Joe Louis Robinson as Associate Musical Director do everyone proud. The show is second to none for musicality!
Which makes it such a shame that the fabulous cast are over-mic’d. It’s rare to hear good sound in the West End and Soho Cinders doesn’t help this aspect.
Soho Cinders is a beautifully put-together glorious jubilant modern production that you will love!
Photos by Pamela Raith
Creative team: Director: Will Keith, Choreographer: Adam Haigh, Musical Director: Sarah Morrison, Associate Musical Director: Joe Louis
Robinson, Set Designer: Justin Williams, Casting Director: Harry Blumenau Casting, Producers: Will Keith for Theatre Syndicate London and Starting Over Theatricals Ltd in association with Kyle Tovey for AKT Management.
Rehearsal Photography: Paul Nicholas Dyke for PND Photography
Further Info
Will Keith for Theatre Syndicate London
and Starting Over Theatricals Ltd in association with Kyle Tovey for AKT Management
present
Soho Cinders
Music by George Stiles
Lyrics by Anthony Drewe
Book by Anthony Drewe, Elliot Davis
Charing Cross Theatre
The Arches
Villiers Street
London WC2N 6NL
www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
Box office: 08444 930650
Booking to 11 JAnuary
Performances:
Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Thursday and Saturday at 3pm
Ticket prices:
£20 – £37.50
Upgrade your ticket to include a glass of
bubbly and a programme for just £7.50
A booking fee applies to phone and internet
orders; no booking fee to personal callers
The box office is open from 2 hours
before curtain time on performance days for
personal callers
Performed by arrangement with
Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited
on behalf of Josef Weinberger Limited
SOCIAL MEDIA
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