The Secret Story Of Cinderella and Her Fabulously Fashionable Footwear Interview
Written by Cate Gilpin
Theatre In Preview
She’s back! Cinderella has returned this summer holidays to tell her fantastical story of glass slippers, great loves and ugly stepsisters, and don’t forget the evil stepmothers and fairy godmothers. This time she has amped it up a notch; she’s a tad more ‘New York City style siren’ than ‘pauper, rag wearing nobody’, and her glass slippers rival Manolo Blahnik’s hottest designs.
Written by consummate local theatre writer and director Tim O'Connor, this show brings back the old fashioned English Christmas pantomime flavour.
“It's a blend of fairytale magic and ‘Sex And The City's contemporary feel. Tim's given the twist that the world Cinderella lives in is a very image based world; everyone is so worried about the way they look and the way they dress, and how skinny they are - it's not dissimilar to our own world really. And it asks the question, 'is Mr Right really Mr Right?'” explains Kathryn Marquet, who plays the title role in this quirky production.
“Tim has tried to keep a lot of the elements the same though so it is very recognisable as Cinderella. Instead he has just made a few twists and turns to give it a more contemporary feel. It still exists in a fairytale world and there are still ugly stepsisters and an evil stepmother, and of course there is still the Prince.”
Marquet recognises she has some big shoes to fill in playing such an iconic character as Cinderella, but she’s relishing the role.
“I said when I first got the role - it's like every little girl's dream come true. It's funny though, I never really saw myself playing Cinderella. If someone had said to me five years ago, 'you'll play Cinderella in the future', I don't think I would have believed I would be cast in this role. The difference between the Disney-type Cinderella and my Cinderella is that mine is more of a contemporary woman who, although she is quite downtrodden, can eventually stand on her own two feet, stand up for herself and say what she wants.
“It is a bit scary playing Cinderella as people tend to have certain expectations, it's a fairy princess for heaven's sake! So I don't necessarily have this image in my head of my being a graceful, beautiful creature - but we're working on it, we're getting there,” laughs Marquet.
Obviously a big part of this production is the footwear, which looms large in the show and sounds suitably Cinderella worthy.
“The shoes in this show are just incredible and I must admit I did get a little bit excited when I saw my glass slippers; although I can't actually walk in high heels yet, so we'll see how that goes.
“The costumes are also pretty amazing in this production, everyone is excited about them. Josh McIntosh is designing them and from his drawings they certainly look spectacular. He calls them 'Baroque couture' and they're going to be incredible. We're a little concerned about whether we are going to fit through the doors but we'll see!”
Marquet will not reveal whether Cinderella snags her Prince in this production, but it does appear there are a number of twists and turns to reach the final outcome.
“I don't know if I should give this away, people should come and want to find out what happens, so I can't tell you that one!”
Describing the lead-up to this production, Marquet dishes that it has been a highly enjoyable process with a lot of fairytale fun and frivolity.
“It's a really fun rehearsal environment, we're having a ball with it with lots of over the top stuff going on that's very funny. While Cinderella is quite straight-laced, as Cinderella should be, the other characters are a bit weird and wacky and the rehearsals can get quite crazy!”
Bodes well for a fun, pantomime production!
‘The Secret Story Of Cinderella’ and her fabulously fashionable footwear will play at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC from January 7-23.
