Cinderella comes to North London’s Kings Head Theatre this Christmas in a pantomime which throws a number of unexpected twists into the classic story, while also providing the usual panto laughs.
In writer-director Andrew Pollard’s script, Cinderella (Maddy Erzan-Essien) is transported to Islington, where she is expected to wait on ugly stepsisters Peckham (Ella Vaday) and Dalston (Harry Curley) while they conspire to turn the Sadler’s Well into a luxury spa. But when she has a chance encounter with Prince Charming (Joseph Lukehurst), it is up to her (and this is not a typo) Fairy Codmother (Lucia Vinyard) and best friend Buttons (Robert Rees) to get her to the ball (or boat party).
While this heavily aquatic theme sometimes leads to an overreliance on fish puns, on the whole it works well, particularly a segment in which the two ugly stepsisters take a bath and find themselves part of several water-themed movies.
The stage is packed with talent, with Drag Race UK Finalist Ella Vaday (Nick Collier) starring as ugly stepsister Peckham, and a voice cast featuring Dame Judi Dench as the Narrator, Miriam Margolyes as the Evil Stepmother and Su Pollard as the Swan.
On select adult-only performances they are also joined by stars of the West End and drag scene, which on press night meant the audience was treated to the stunning vocals of Danielle Steers. Still to come are performances from John Owen-Jones, Helen Woolf, Trevor Ashley and Christina Bianco.
But there is plenty to enjoy throughout the cast. Leading lady Maddy Erzan-Essien, who appeared in the ITV series Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream, is a likeable Cinderella, while Harry Curley forms an excellent double act with Vaday as the second ugly stepsister, Dalston.
Lucia Vinyard is also a standout as the Fairy Codmother, showing off powerful vocals and excellent comic timing, while Verity Kirk is as gifted an actor as her character Dandini, who has somehow convinced Prince Charming that she is an Italian man rather than plain Danielle from Dagenham.
Among the creative team, special mention must be given to Gregor Donnelly for his inventive costumes, as well as a versatile set which allowed for a beautiful transformation from pumpkin to carriage at the end of the first act. The show also features puppets from the Little Angel Theatre and puppetry designer Oliver Hymans, adding an additional dimension to the delightful chaos on stage.
Press night was one of Cinderella’s adults only performances, which meant the dirty jokes were ramped up to the max, but the majority of showings are family-friendly, cutting the bulk of the smut.
Packed with laughs and star performances, Cinderella is sure to make a splash in Islington this Christmas.
Cinderella runs at King’s Head Theatre until 5th January.
★★★★☆ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Charlie Flint
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