Buttons takes a bow as he steals the show

10:19am Wednesday 28th December 2005

Clowning around for the children as Buttons in Cinderella at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield, is the marvellous Stephen Mulhern. Stephen, the children's television presenter and magician, played such a strong part in making this traditional festive treat a success that the panto should have been called Buttons.

From the moment he wanted us to be in his gang, he was our best friend for the night. With the fabulous Ugly Sisters (Simon Bashford and Mark Two), a very confident Des Coleman as Dandini and the strong voiced Sean Smith as the dashing prince in gold-sprayed wellies; the show relied heavily upon star talent and sparkling performances to compensate for dull, sparse scenery.

The flying horse and carriage and some on-stage magical quick changes provided the wow factor. The sweet Carly Hillman, looking and sounding fabulous as Cinders, should have been given more to do and say rather than just being pinched and made to cry a bit. The comedy was kept clean with some topical jokes relating to 118 118 and Little Britain.

Baron Hard Up relied heavily upon Glenn M Ford's ability to imitate Norman Wisdom and he bumbled throughout the scenes without adding much to the proceedings.

The legendary Danny La Rue impressed youngsters, surprisingly, with his benevolent, bejewelled Fairy Godmother from the old school of panto characters. His moments in the spotlight were well crafted and his praise for his young co-stars was moving and so well deserved.

As I said before, it was a show that put Buttons in the spotlight and the dazzling energy and audience rapport Stephen Mulhern engaged in made this Cinderella a spectacular outing.

- Cinderella
Ashcroft Theatre
Until January 8
020 8688 9291