“Ey up me ducks – we’re back again at Nottingham Playhouse! It’s panto time and there can’t be a better traditional panto in all of Pantoland than this Cinderella at Nottingham Playhouse.” ( This panto is sponsored by Nottingham City Transport btw). It’s legendary! It’s lovely! It’s loopy! It’s a laugh- a – minute riot of colourful festive fun. And that is just the Dame’s wacky costumes and – by gum – this year there are two dames and together they are daftness personified as The Ugly Sisters. John Elkington plays Rose and Tom Hopcroft plays Violet and you couldn’t ask for more cheeky silly sausages than these two. They are indeed magical family favourites here at this packed out Playhouse. All the cast ask is that you enjoy it and go home with big smiles and great panto memories – and come again next year!

This version of Cinderella is written and directed by none other than Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Adam Penford who has done a brilliant job of keeping the Playhouse panto one to which East Midlands audiences flock to year after year like the happy pigeons on Slab Square. There are plenty of corny jokes, wonderful songs, audience participation and proper panto spectacle. Even the Woodland Creatures get a look in this year as they gather to help out the lovely Cinderella (Jewelle Hutchinson). And who doesn’t love the cute Woodland Creatures? This audience certainly do.

The fabulous set designs are courtesy of the talents of Cleo Pettitt; the awesome lighting design is by Tim Mitchell and the corking sound design is by Adam Fisher. No panto would be proper without a live band and Uncle Johnny Morton is back (and as beloved as always) waving his musical director’s baton around dangerously in the dark. He will have somebody’s eye out with that one day.

The song and dance aspects of this year’s panto are of the usual high quality standard and Rosanna Bates’ choreography makes everything go with a stylish zing. The young company who open the show on both acts are especially good.

Danny Hendrix makes a very likable Buttons and this mainly family filled audience recognise Hendrix from last year. He is deservedly popular with the kids due to his high energy, his talents as a performer and bright (as a button) smile.

Jewelle Hutchinson makes a super Cinderella in her professional debut and wins the hearts of this audience with her beautiful singing voice and sparkling personality. Coy Cinders determines she will get to the ball and meet the Prince no matter what. The handsome Prince (Liam Marcellino) may turn out to be a bit daft but that there sidekick named Dandini (Georgia Mae-Price) – well, you just watch this space.

There can’t be a story of Cinderella without some magic and trust me this show is very magical. Alice Redmond as the villainous Her Ladyship and Fairy Godmother weaves her own special magical spells throughout the panto and is vocally brilliant. She also provides us with some great laughs along the way.

This year’s Cinderella Pantomime at Nottingham Playhouse is a big bundle of family fun – a ‘go to the ball must see’ spectacular that you can enjoy live on stage. And, in case you weren’t too sure or had your heads in your popcorn,, the show is generously sponsored by none other than…

This review is written after the Tuesday 5th December performance. Next year you can enjoy Jack and The Beanstalk. Book now.

Captioned Performance Sat 9 Dec, 2:30 pm Sat 16 Dec, 7:30 pm

Audio Described performance Wed 13 Dec, 2:30 pm Sat 16 Dec, 2:30 pm

BSL interpreted performance Thu 14 Dec, 7:30 pm Sat 16 Dec, 2:30 pm Tue 19 Dec, 2:45 pm

Relaxed Performance Tue 9 Jan, 11 am Wed 10 Jan, 11 am

Dementia Friendly Performance Thu 11 Jan, 1 pm