Jenny Nimon
Wellington Footlights’ production of Soho Cinders is colourful and comical, and it’s great to see a show with such a big cast at times like these. According to the programme, the show was postponed from November last year due to COVID-19, after their rehearsal period was interrupted by lockdown. It’s a shame that the show has to go ahead at reduced capacity due to the recent move into the Red setting, but the performers don’t seem all that fazed and bring plenty of joy and energy to the stage despite the bare seating block.
For me, this show is a mixed bag, and that is mainly due to my dislike of the script. Soho Cinders, for a show that brands itself as a modern, gay retelling of the Cinderella story and was written as recently as 2008, is less than progressive. One song in particular, “It’s Hard to Tell”, which complains about how difficult it is to tell if someone is gay or straight “these days”, does not feel like it belongs on a Wellington stage only metres away from the rainbow crossing. It is downright offensive, implying that gay men should have to present as effeminate so they are easier to identify in the dating scene. The show also uses blatant misogyny and sexual harassment as a casual sideplot to make an existing villain less likeable, and some of his lines just make me actively uncomfortable as an audience member. I question the decision to stage this musical when there are so many other incredible ones to choose from.
Despite this, Wellington Footlights makes the best of the show, and it’s clear that the performers are all having fun on stage. Aoife Walsh and Aimée Sullivan give stand-out performances as Velcro and the Narrator, and Michael Stebbings as James Prince takes the prize for his stellar vocals. Unfortunately, great lines and solos are let down throughout the show by poor sound operation, as microphones are regularly turned off or turned up far too loud and are adjusted quite obviously midway through lines. Hopefully this will improve as the season goes on.
The band and the booth singers are a particular highlight for me and lift the show significantly with their combined talent. The costume design is strong, with the Narrator’s punk-rock costume being a definite win. I can’t say I’m wowed by the set and lighting, but they are simple and effective and let the performers hold the focus, which is nice. It also should be said that the cast and crew do well with some of the more outlandish set and prop requirements of the script, such as wheeling actual washing machines on and off stage and expertly navigating a full-size rickshaw bike.
I would also like to commend Wellington Footlights for supporting LGBTQIA+ charity InsideOUT with 10 percent of their ticket revenue. Very cool.
Soho Cinders is showing at Te Auaha in Tapere Nui until Saturday 5 February at 7:30pm. For more information or to book tickets, visit the Wellington Footlights website.
Despite this, Wellington Footlights makes the best of the show, and it’s clear that the performers are all having fun on stage. Aoife Walsh and Aimée Sullivan give stand-out performances as Velcro and the Narrator, and Michael Stebbings as James Prince takes the prize for his stellar vocals. Unfortunately, great lines and solos are let down throughout the show by poor sound operation, as microphones are regularly turned off or turned up far too loud and are adjusted quite obviously midway through lines. Hopefully this will improve as the season goes on.
The band and the booth singers are a particular highlight for me and lift the show significantly with their combined talent. The costume design is strong, with the Narrator’s punk-rock costume being a definite win. I can’t say I’m wowed by the set and lighting, but they are simple and effective and let the performers hold the focus, which is nice. It also should be said that the cast and crew do well with some of the more outlandish set and prop requirements of the script, such as wheeling actual washing machines on and off stage and expertly navigating a full-size rickshaw bike.
I would also like to commend Wellington Footlights for supporting LGBTQIA+ charity InsideOUT with 10 percent of their ticket revenue. Very cool.
Soho Cinders is showing at Te Auaha in Tapere Nui until Saturday 5 February at 7:30pm. For more information or to book tickets, visit the Wellington Footlights website.