Theatre Royal, Windsor – until Sunday 11th January 2026
Reviewed by Kirsty Thomson
5*****
This year’s pantomime at the Theatre Royal Windsor is the captivating traditional story of Cinderella, a classic fairy tale which brings a delightful blend of spectacle, humour, and joy to the stage.
The cast were sensational, bringing well-loved characters to life. Brogan McFarlane was enchanting as Cinderella, perfectly portraying the battle through tough circumstances with kindness and resilience. The magic really shone during the dress reveal before Cinderella goes to the ball as well as the flying Pegasus which flew above the heads of the audience, leaving everyone in awe, thanks to the skills of Burnt Toast SFX.
Equally impressive are the ‘ugly stepsisters’, Lavitia (Steven Blakeley) and Potitia (Jeffrey Harmer), who delivered over-the-top performances leaving the audience in stitches. A shoutout to Emma Foltran as head of wardrobe is definitely needed with the showstopping costumes and hairstyles for the two sisters, including McDonald’s themed dresses with burger hats, and ballgowns covered in candles and lampshades.
Hilary O’Neil as the Fairy Godmother is captivating with everything from her magical entrances onto the stage, to her hilarious impression of Catherine Tate’s nan in the woods, to her half and half outfit and impressions of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Kevin Cruise is a Windsor classic playing the part of Buttons, who keeps the whole audience entertained throughout. Whether it be through his 80s tunes on a Walkman to keep the adults entertained, or getting kids onto the stage to do the ‘Bird Song’ dance routine, Kevin Cruise has a real skill of appealing to all.
Of course, no pantomime would be complete without a generous dose of audience interaction, and this production excels in that department. Whether it’s encouraging kids to shout out when a character gets too close to the Care Bear or getting everyone on their feet to dance the Hokey Cokey, the cast does a fantastic job of engaging the audience throughout.
Let’s not forget the 12 Days of Christmas song which was a personal highlight. With sparkly swords, toilet rolls, and welly boots being thrown around the stage and audience, and the need for the conductor of the band to wear a hard hat and hold an umbrella, it’s a classic song, re-imagined in the most bonkers way, but you won’t be disappointed. It’s this level of participation and enthusiasm that keeps the energy high and ensures everyone leaves the theatre with a smile on their face.
The chaos of this pantomime continues through sparkly mobility scooters, multiple Jet2 holiday adverts, the famous dirty dancing lift requiring the assistance of three backstage crew, and Baron Hardup (Michael Praed) constantly thinking he’s in a Robin Hood pantomime.
Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Windsor offers a feel-good experience that’s perfect for the festive season. It’s a pantomime that will get you laughing, cheering, and up on your feet dancing. This production is a must-see, don’t miss out!