Forget the frosty fairytales of snowy Christmases – this sun-drenched Cinderella adaptation is a delightful escape to the seaside that'll leave you craving a beach holiday instead! Imagine a pantomime – that's a British theatrical tradition blending comedy, song, and audience interaction, perfect for families during the holidays – set in the sunny coastal town of Crabbington Sands. Joe Tracini's clever script bursts with pastel-clad performers grooving to Aimee Leigh's lively choreography, transforming the classic story into a breezy beach party. And here's where it gets delightfully cheeky: Cinderella's stepsisters, the hilariously monstrous duo Lou and Lav, complete with a comical toilet-flush sound effect, look like they've leapt straight from a naughty seaside postcard. Designer Kirsteen Wythe outfits them in eye-popping costumes that practically scream for sunglasses – think a dress shaped like a giant beach ball, hats mimicking buckets and spades, frocks inspired by carnival rides, and wigs twisted from what seems like rope from a fishing boat.
Cinderella herself has a poignant backstory: her parents owned a local hotel that's been closed since their passing, fueling her desire for fresh experiences and new horizons. This yearning shines through in an upbeat opening number featuring Natasha Bedingfield's hit 'Unwritten,' which captures that sense of untapped potential. In the starring role, Georgia May Foote exudes a warm, big-sister energy during her playful banter with the young crowd, portraying Cinderella as seeing the ever-loyal Buttons (played by Tracini) more as a sibling than a romantic interest. But here's the part that might divide opinions: Cinderella is depicted as somewhat bland and lacking zest, which dulls the chemistry in her budding romance with the prince (Danny Hatchard), who teeters between being a goofy comedian and a genuinely kind-hearted guy trying to rock out like a wannabe star.
This production embraces the time-honored panto formula as reliably as a roast turkey dinner, complete with all the festive fixings. There's plenty to cheer about, especially Owen Evans and Kenny Moore's wicked stepsisters – and intriguingly, no stepmother here, which adds a fresh twist – along with some jokes so embarrassingly bad they're brilliantly entertaining. Don't miss the 'Shoe Must Go On' gameshow segment centered on the iconic glass slipper, or the chorus of monks belting out 'Ring My Bell.' Tracini steals the show in the latter, hanging from a rope as the 'air friar' and dashing into the audience, where he's swarmed by excited kids.
Hannah-Jane Fox brings a quirky charm as the fairy godmother with bubblegum-pink hair, whose magic is fading, leading to rhyming couplets that hilariously fall flat without a perfect match. It's a charming idea in a script that's otherwise light on the typical panto gimmick of grown-ups awkwardly using teen slang – like the unimpressed child in the row behind muttering 'so cringe' during one such attempt. If I could make one request to that fairy godmother, it'd be to shine more light on Jeevan Braich's Dandini, a rising star from the recent Starlight Express revival, whose velvety voice elevates a standout number post-interval, instantly heating up the atmosphere. But here's where it gets controversial: the plot fizzles in the second act, yearning for a grand, climactic spectacle and wrapping up hastily like a rushed holiday gift. Yet, Andrew Lynford's vibrant, energetic, and heartfelt direction ensures the show ends with not only tired eyes and buzzing ears from the fun, but also a wide smile on your face.
What do you think – does this seaside spin on a classic story refresh the genre or lose some of its magical sparkle? And is it time to ditch the traditional stepmother trope in favor of something bolder? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if this panto had you laughing or longing for more!
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At Norwich Theatre Royal until 4 January
