Civic Theatre, Darlington – 5 December 2015 – 10 January 2016
There’s nothing quite like a good panto to get you in the festive mood (oh no there isn’t) and with a great big dollop of comedy, a smattering of tunes and a sprinkling of fairy dust you’ve got all the ingredients for a successful show.
Asleigh and Pudsey lead the show, and though Ashleigh can’t quite belt out the tunes as a leading lady should – or as well as her Fairy Godmothers co-star Niki Evans, rather unsurprisingly given her X Factor experience – her perfected dance routines with Pudsey more than make up for any lack of vocal power. Pudsey didn’t let himself down once, performing the adorable but undoubtedly clever act that won Britain’s Got Talent with his trainer and dance partner Ashleigh
The Ugly Sisters Mel (Phil Corbitt) and Sue (Danny Potts) were wonderfully over the top, in their garish costumes and outlandish make-up. Alastair Hill was Charming as the Prince and genuinely funny in the fight scene 
during Everything I Do.
The star of the show is undoubtedly Matt Edwards who plays the lovable but dopey Buttons. With his squeaky voice he has the audience in the palm of his hands from the moment he steps on stage and has the audience in stitches with his silly and simple performance. 
He worked well with Brendan Sheerin’s Baron Hardup and the 12 Days of Christmas routine with Mel and Sue the ugly sisters was ridiculously funny. A very special mention must go out to the lady who caught the five toilet rolls and admirably threw them back
The show had magic and laughs for the children and innuendo for the adults. Lots of audience participation and “Oh yes it is” “Oh no it isn’t” shout backs. The ensemble dancers and the babes of Joanne Banks Dancers were talented and helped to move the plot forward and during the transformation scenes. Less emphasis was put on the carriage transformation and more on the change from rags to riches in the ball gown – a very clever change. However the spectacular and beautiful flying Pegasus to take Cinderella to the ball was absolute perfection
The first half covers most of the key traditional elements and introduces poor downtrodden Cinders, the cruel, spectacularly attired Ugly Sisters, the handsome prince, the nice but dim Buttons – and The Fairy ‘God Mother. In the second half we are treated to Dooby Duck and friends and his spectacular marionette cabaret.
It’s a simple tale of good versus evil and this with its abundance of visual gags and slapstick makes it a winner, whether you are three or 93.
Like all good pantos, Cinderella has a happy ending. This production has all the ingredients needed for a great time out with family and friends of all ages