FOLLOWING last year’s sensational pantomime of Aladdin, Lochgelly High School have chosen to do the most famous panto ever this week in the Lochgelly Centre. Yes folks, it’s Cinderella!, writes our Theatre critic Kerry Black.

Even better, buoyed up by last year’s phenomenal ticket sales, they doubled the amount of performances from two shows to four, including a matinee, where they invited children from many of their local feeder primary schools in the area.

I have seen multi-million pound pantomime productions over the years, but it doesn’t matter what the budget is-Scottish folk love panto!

This was a brilliant script with tons of local references. Where else but Lochgelly would Cinderella end up in Diamonds Bar, then discover her fate is written in the stars and the Central Fife Times? Once again, the brilliant Liam Nardone, played the Dame. This year he was the evil stepmother who made her entrance inside a shopping trolley! With lovely scenery from John Urquhart, this was a very pretty pantomime, with an amazing Cinderella coach, worthy of Calamity Jane!

The curtain opened to a shimmering, beautiful fairy, in one of the nicest fairy frocks I’ve seen in many a year! Obviously the dame had lots of outrageous costume changes, I just thought it was a pity that the chorus were wearing every day 21st clothing. Even the principal boy Prince, when he/she was undercover was wearing a hoodie! Bizarre!

Cinderella had a strong singing voice and Buttons had great comic timing, so there was plenty strength on the principal side.

Also, the choreography was very strong in the chorus numbers. Pantos are cheesy and they even had a “9 to 5” dance routine with brushes, followed by “I Want To Break Free” with hoovers! Only in Fife would you get references to Jim Leishman and Twerking in Ballingry (thankfully they were nor connected….) Even better, the finale song sheet (or cloot), was made up of titles of West Fife villages. It was great to hear the entire audience, including a party form The Jenny Gray, belting out the lyrics!

The Dame was in dire need of a man and was rewarded in the “Gimme, Gimme” number when five hunky bow tied gentlemen leapt from their seats and joined her on stage. They were either Lochgelly High’s answer to The Chippendales, or five very talented teachers!

With a Ghostbusters inspired number and more chases around the auditorium than Benny Hill, this was a hilarious show. With a small band led by Mandy Miller and creative input from Daryl the drama teacher amongst many other members of staff, it was great to see how the entire school community had worked together to pull off another fabulous pantomime! Oh yes it was!