Cinderella at the New Theatre, Cardiff – panto review

Thanks to the New Theatre for inviting us to review Cinderella

It’s panto season at Cardiff’s New Theatre and as we arrived for last night’s press performance of Cinderella, it felt like the whole venue exuded a wonderful sense of warmth and familiarity that makes you feel like you’re being welcomed by old friends, whether you’re a panto regular or not.

The much-loved Mike Doyle is back once again as the theatre’s resident panto dame – the audience greet him with his catch phrase ‘Alrriiight’ before he’s even had the chance to say it himself – although, as he says, “this year we’re shaking things up” as he’s playing a baddie in the form of evil stepmother Baroness Voluptua Fortuna.

Doyle has a brilliant rapport with the audience, perfect comedy timing for all those witty one-liners and some fantastic facial expressions. He’s dressed in an array of fabulous costumes which look they’ve stepped straight out of the wardrobe of some of our finest Disney villains including Cruella De Vil and Maleficent, thanks to the imagination of costume designer Mike Coltman and team.

Also returning to the New Theatre stage are Stephanie Webber as an elegant Fairy Godmother with beautiful vocals and Denquar Chupak as a delightful Cinderella, two performers we’ve loved seeing grow over the years.

TV presenter Gethin Jones is a perfect Prince Charming and one can only question why it’s taken so long to get this local Cardiff boy on the stage in his hometown theatre. He has a great stage presence and lots of charisma, and we especially liked his remediation of This Is Cardiff, a homage to our wonderful city set to the tune of Beyonce’s Texas Hold ‘Em.

Ammanford-born Owain Wyn Evans – ‘the drumming weatherman’ as he is better known – is the prince’s sidekick Dandini and the two are a great pairing, laughing along at the jokes at their own expense. I hope it’s not the last time we see these two cast together as I feel this is a partnership that could really grow.

Jack Ryan brings the laughs as the loveable Buttons while Lucy Elson and Jalisa Phoenix-Roberts, both from South Wales, are the ugly stepsisters, Tess and Claudia. It’s not often you see female performers taking on comedy panto roles and these two are brilliant, really bouncing off each other revelling in their sisterly rivalry and gruesomeness.

The whole night is perfect family entertainment. We laughed out loud for two solid hours, booed and hissed, and eagerly joined in with the classic ‘oh no it isn’t’ panto banter. There are traditional panto routines such as an impressive tongue twister scene with a high potential for unfortunate mispronunciations, a comedy rendition of 12 Days of Christmas, plus a fair bit of risqué humour and innuendo which goes over the head of the younger audience members but has the adults in stitches.

The lavish sets look incredible, from the enchanted forest to the palace ball, while the decadent costumes sparkle from the stage. The auditorium is filled with stunning lasers under the guidance of lighting designer Pete Watts and there are some brilliant special effects too. I won’t spoil the surprise, but the end of act one is really quite phenomenal and one of the best ‘wow’ moments we’ve seen in all our years at panto.

Age guidance wise, the panto is perfect for all. Young children may find it a little tough to sit still for so long but there aren’t any really scary parts, and all the ‘baddie’ elements are laced with humour. If it helps, my children were all between the ages of three and six when they watched their first panto and (2020 and Covid aside) we’ve gone every year for a decade. They are now aged 15, 13 and 10 and it’s one of their favourite Christmas traditions, something we all really look forward to. Cinderella is everything we’ve come to know and love from the New Theatre. We couldn’t ask for more from a festive family night out.

Cinderella is at the New Theatre Cardiff until Sunday 5 January, with tickets still available here priced from £24 to £45 for off peak performances and £29-£48 for peak performances.

See the website for details of family discounts and concessions as well as inclusive performances.

Next year’s panto is Sleeping Beauty and tickets are already on sale here.

Images: Tim Dickeson