Cinderella – Theatre Royal, St Helens

With a cast fresh from our TV screens, my expectations for Regal Entertainment’s annual Christmas Panto at St. Helens Theatre Royal were high and, fortunately, I was not disappointed. One of the many charms of reviewing the marvellous institution of British Panto, is anticipating how production teams might ‘freshen up’ extremely overdone fairy tales to avoid audience fatigue and deliver hilarious family entertainment year after year.

Cinderella at St. Helens Theatre Royal was anything but tired thanks to an eclectic mix of ventriloquism from the massively talented Jamie Leahey and Chuck (Postman and Speciality Act), stand-up comedy from Jon Courtenay (Dandini), hilarious antics from Lewis Devine (Buttons), breath-taking vocal performance from Rachel Wood (Fairy Godmother) and ah-inducing appearance of real Shetland ponies on stage.

Heavy with double-entendre, well-known popular music, slick choreography, and some well- known TV faces, Cinderella certainly had something for everyone. Numerous local references within the script added a nice personal touch for St. Helens. The audience was familiar with the traditional narrative of the sweet, beautiful Cinderella (superbly played by Coronation Street’s Kimberly Hart-Simpson) overcoming the oppression of her cruel, ugly stepsisters to eventually marry her dashing Prince Charming (Joe Sleight). Creative elements such as comedy interludes, audience participation on stage and interactive Christmas songs were cleverly interspersed throughout the show to bring individuality to Regal’s production. A discernible deviation from the well-known storyline was the absence of the character of Cinderella’s evil stepmother. However, this was of no detriment to enjoyment and Richard Aucott’s and Kristopher Bosch’s hysterical double act as the ugly stepsisters surpassed the audience’s expectations of traditional pantomime dames.

Special mention should go to the gorgeous, dazzling Rachael Wood as Fairy Godmother, who treated the audience to superior vocals of West End calibre in ‘One Moment in Time’ and other numbers. The ensemble dancers were animated, energetic and well-synchronised throughout. The superb juvenile dancers demonstrated that age is no obstacle to talent. However, the standout performance of the night for me was Lewis Devine, who brought bundles of cheeky, lovable charisma to his role of Buttons and instantly won over the crowd with his hilarious jingle and playful antics.

Scenes and moods were set through cleverly varied lighting (designed by Greg Jones and operated by Joe Sanderson for Opix Lighting) and the spotlights surrounding the stage, which illuminated in time to the music, were highly effective. Sound quality and audibility (from Conrad Kemp) was excellent, which is important in family productions which attract diverse audience members of all ages.

Evidently, no expense had been spared in the costume department and the intricacy was visible even from the back of the stalls (credit to Rebecca Quinn, with dressing from Ann Connolly). The glitz, glamour and opulence of the ball gowns were surpassed only by the eye-wateringly hilarious and imaginatively designed outfits adorned by the ugly sisters. I won’t spoil any surprises!

In summary, Regal Entertainments delivered a great value, uplifting evening of family entertainment packed full of amusing props, catchy tunes, oodles of talent and great audience interaction. This feel-good production runs until Sunday 8th January 2023 at St. Helens Theatre Royal and is one not to be missed. https://www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com/

Reviewer: Grace Annabel

Reviewed: 7th December 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★