Children mingled with the young players of the Camerada Ireland Orchestra and the hall was a hubbub of excited chatter. That was before the performance. During it all was quiet. Peter Maxwell Davies's children's opera Cinderella (1979) was designed as a family affair, and in Opera Theatre Company's new production, which was the first in a tour of Ireland last Saturday, at St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, it is one.
Maxwell Davies's Cinderella is an au pair; the Fairy Godmother is a cat; the sisters are ugly - but anyone with the family name Grumpy deserves to be booed. Yes, this is almost pantomime. The music is functional; yet it bends its popular styles just enough to bend the ear.
James Conway's production matches the composer's strong feel for theatre. Caimin Collins's choreography is as engaging as it is important. Katherine Sankey's sets and costumes, which strike an impeccable balance between simplicity and occasional extravagance, are aided by Aedin Cosgrove's sympathetic lighting.
The cast is predominantly teenage and below, with members of Cor na nOg, RTE prominent as soloists and chorus. During this tour of 12 venues, the casting of the young principals will rotate between two options, so it seems invidious to single out any of these. On Saturday evening all the main roles were well done.
Cinderella goes to Gorey on September today, Kilkenny, Saturday and Sunday, New Ross on the 16th, Longford on the 19th and 20th, Cavan on the 23rd, Westport on the 26th and 27th, Drogheda on the 30th, Ballinteer on October 2nd, Ballyshannon on the 4th, Enniskillen on the 7th and Limerick on the 10th and 11th. For details telephone 01 679 4962.
