Wyvern Theatre, Swindon– until 5th January 2025
Reviewed by Jacqui Radford
5*****
The classic tale of Cinderella is a perfect starting point for adding sparkle to the season and this production certainly adds that. With a cast starring Lisa George, David Ashley and Ben Goffe it also offers the classic pantomime combination of silliness, song, slapstick and shout outs. Even the ugly sisters are appropriately named ‘Siri’ and ‘Alexa’.
The theatre itself is a perfect setting for a full experience of audience participation, including enabling the cast to run around the audience during some parts of the performance. Everyone feels invested in the singing and interaction with the cast.
The storyline is of course familiar to most but as with every good panto, there’s a Dame thrown into the mix; Mollie Miggins (played by David Ashley). Paired with Buttons (played by Ben Goffe), every scene that is delivered by the duo is full of fun. Hearing all generations laughing at their nonsense really reminds you that pantomime really is for everyone.
So far as the set design is concerned, no expense has been spared. Every set is joyful and dreamlike and if you are hoping for the ‘wow’ factor, you will not be disappointed by the magical horse and carriage that takes Cinderella to the ball. I am sure that every princess loving member of the audience was blown away by it and quite possibly still talking about it.
The musical elements of the production include songs that add another dimension to each scene and engage everyone in singing along or dancing in their seats. By the end you feel as though you have been as involved in this fairytale as Cinderella herself.
If you have never been to panto before, then this is the perfect introduction. Prepare to fall in love with the magic!