Prepare to view Cinderella in a way you've never seen her before as this musical reinvents the world's most beloved story. Showing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella is a hilarious new romantic musical comedy. It has an original script and book by 2021 OSCAR® winner Emerald Fennell, and lyrics by Tony and Olivier award-winner David Zippel. Moreover, Joann M. Hunter choreographs the show, which is directed by Laurence Connor.
The story revolves around the town of Belleville - The world's most picturesque village, filled only with beautiful people who will stop at nothing to achieve perfection. Belleville is a living fairy tale, where you can't walk without tripping over a wishing well or a trembling milkmaid. Maintaining this façade is a full-time job that is handled quite seriously.
Cinderella is the lone character who refuses to live in the fairy tale. Loud-mouthed, full of contempt, and more inclined to roast Hansel and Gretel for supper than play the meek and downtrodden maid, Cinderella is anxious to get away. But behind it all, the loneliness of being the village outcast is driving her down.
It doesn't help that her only buddy, Prince Sebastian, has become the heir to the kingdom after his elder brother, sex god and charm machine Prince Charming, mysteriously vanished. Sebastian, who was previously timid and less sex-goddish, appears to be swiftly growing into his brother's big britches and out of his bond with Cinderella after being thrown into the spotlight. But this shift in circumstances brings something new to the relationship: a fresh flame that neither of them knows how to handle.
After a disastrous PR for Belleville the Queen thinks that the only way to rescue the town is to throw a Royal Wedding: something colourful and diverting to keep the people from getting too revolutionary.
Cinderella encounters The Godmother, who can repair any ailment with a little incision and a couple of broken ribs, and everything seems lost for the blooming relationship. Perhaps the answer might be found where Cinderella has refused to look: in becoming the stereotypical beauty that everyone has told her she should be.
This new production of an old tale promises to present the rags-to-riches narrative the world loves in a whole new way. This Musical is only till June 12th, 2022 in London. As such, this resulted in a scandalous scenario as some members of the cast and crew were not notified of the show's cancellation before it was made public, resulting in backlash and protests. You can find the whole story here.
In general, the music and the outfits were both spectacular. They were a great deal of fun. The stage and lighting design are both as good as one would expect from a West End musical production.
But, whether it's the storybook you have on your shelf at home, the numerous film remakes, or the annual pantomime, The Royal Ball is always a magnificent event, which this production captures so brilliantly. On the other hand, Cinderella, the main character, has a beautiful voice and is an extremely powerful and talented performer.
I found the tale and message to be a little lacking and confused. Cinderella herself, as a character, was rather judgmental of ladies who loved to dress up, wear a lot of makeup, and behave a little shallower. Sebastian, her prince, is the same way. Both of them were contemptuous and disparaging of legally blonde women. Don't judge a book by its cover, was the message. Cinderella was intended to be a nice, gentle, and loving girl who was mistreated in the original narrative, but the entire plot was different from the original.
This Cinderella had a political and social message, but it didn't really resonate with me. This is a Cinderella story for the twenty-first century, one that defies preconceptions. The story has undergone a complete reinvention, but not always for the better. It deconstructs the notion of 'they all lived happily ever after' at the curtain call, but it also results in a bittersweet rather than a completely joyful conclusion.
