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Published: 8 December, 2011
by RUSSELL PARTON

It’s classic Christmas fare, a tale of magic, love at first sight and dreams coming true.

But with no main dame, Cinderella makes an unconventional pantomime, and this year the Empire are without Clive Rowe (he’s in The Ladykillers)  as their lovable baddie.

Writer and director Susie McKenna plugs the gap with two delightfully revolting, outlandishly dressed ugly sisters, Queeniqua and Victiqua, played with villainous poise by Tony Whittle and Kat B, and a fine script packed with wordplay and topical references that remains a comic caper for kids at its core.

The kingdom of Harknee-on-Lea is brought alive with colourful costumes and glitzy staging, including a transformation scene that sees butterflies and birds help Cinderella (Sophia Ragavelas) change into her finery for the Prince’s ball.  

Strong supporting performances from Matt Dempsey as the floppy-limbed Buttons and Peter Straker, playing the endearingly hapless Baron Hardup, prevent the love story from becoming too soppy.

It’s a superbly sung  panto, with the voices of sleekly-attired wicked stepmother Anastia (Joanna Riding) and Fairy Godmother (Sophie-Louise Dann) impressively booming.

The selection of songs is carefully judged, too.

There could be greater chemistry between cast and audience with the occasional ad-lib or self-reference, and the competition element to the singalong finale is missed, but otherwise there’s little else to take the shine off this cheerful and highly polished panto.

Until January 8
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