Cinderella, Palace Theatre
THE panto at the Palace just keeps getting better and better.
AFTER last year’s extravaganza there was always the thought ‘well, they can’t top that’ but in Cinderella they’ve done it, and in some style too.
What marks this production out is the performance by the entire cast, not just from the stars – ‘The Man The Call G’, Sapphire Elia and X-Factor winner Ben Haenow but also the brilliant turns by the dancers, and especially the children.
They were all knockout.
In an evening packed with highlights Ugly Sisters Lav and Lou – Oliver Gray and Dean Horner – stole the show with their outrageous costumes and over the top acting, leaving the audience in stitches.
As you’d expect Ben Haenow’s Prince Charming had a superb voice and who’d have thought of Sapphire Elia playing the slide trombone?
Holding it all together was ‘The Man They Call G’s Buttons who perfectly kept the balance between risque humour for the adults and lots of laughs for the children.
Running at around two-and-a-half hours, plus a 20 minute interval, it is a long production and I for one might have been tempted to cut one of the scenes.
In particular there’s a song about Simon Cowell which depends on the audience joining in and which was a tad clunky.
That aside this is a great night out and worth it just for those ugliest of Ugly Sisters.
With a great live band and a fine ensemble performance, it’s a wonderful way to welcome in Christmas.
Cinderella runs at the Palace Theatre until Sunday, January. For tickets visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk call 01527 65203 and pop into the box office in person.
