Review: Cinderella, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, until January 8 (From Wiltshire Times)

Just back from our annual Christmas panto trip to the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, and for the first time in 4 years we were really disappointed. Swindon has been lucky in the recent years and the Wyvern Theatre has staged some fantastic performances, Shaun Williamson, Lorraine Chase and Paul Nicholas’ pantomimes were all good and each time we came away with a really good family feeling; however, we could not say the same for this for this year’s panto. The first half was particularly weak and only saved by the final scene with Cinderella’s coach being pulled by 2 white Shetland ponies. The second half did pick up considerably but, overall it just missed that magic. Looking back I do not really know why it felt so flat, it had all the ingredients and all the elements thrown in you would expect in a panto. Maybe the problem was that It felt like it was thrown together and had to have ‘this’ and had to have ‘that’, and it did not work because of this. The jokes were predictable and many just not funny. However, the ugly sisters were particularly good and I shudder to think what the panto would have been like without such excellent performances by these two actors. The audience new they had to boo the Ugly sisters but wanted to cheer each time they came on stage.
Maybe we have been spoilt in Swindon over the past few years, I particularly remember how well Shan Williamson and Lorraine Chase interacted with the audience; Kieth Chegwin just did not have that magic, but to give him credit he was obviously struggling with a sore throat. If we just get the same panto renamed Jack and the Beanstalk next year, I think we will have to look elsewhere for our annual family trip to panto land.

I have to sadly agree with the poster above. I was so disappointed with the Panto this year. Peter Pan last year was incredible, absolutely astounding, so much so that my daughter can still remember all he funny tunes. This year however was a complete wash out for me.

Chegwin was boring, did not really seem to relate to the audience and failed to come up to par with the other members of the cast. The fact we could not hear him did not help, he was unfortunately not memorable. I strongly feel it is a mistake to have him back next year for Jack and the Beanstalk. But having seen he is coming back we will be going elsewhere to see a panto.

Such a shame as Swindon is our closest town, we will now travel further afield.