"Cinderella"

Nottingham Playhouse.

Ay Up Me Ducks! If it is one thing that I really look forward to at Christmas it is Nottingham's pantomimes. This year is very different but the Nottingham Playhouse panto is here and apart from not being sat in the audience, this show is as full of fun as any other year, even if there are a few differences, brought about by Covid.

A really traditional panto with some modern touches, thanks to the script, written, as well as directed by Adam Penford. Adam has kept the trademark Kenneth Allan-Taylor lines and feel, and blended it with some fresh corny jokes. Watch out for the boomerang gag!

Everything you have come to expect from the Playhouse pantos is there. Great sets, designed by Morgan Brind, choreography by Rachael Nanyonjo, and what would we do without Uncle Johnny Morton as Musical Director. There is a sectio which is orchestrated and reminded me of all of my favourite instrumental sections of every old Christmas film I can remember. Lovely and lush.

There is just the one bunny though and no swathes of young dancers to open the show.

The mix of songs is well balanced with more than a couple of nods to Sara Poyzer's recent "Mamma Mia" West End and touring production.

Sara Poyzer

doubles up as Fairy Godmother as well as the nasty Baroness Kim, who when we first see her bears a striking resemblance to Glenn Close in "Sunset Boulevard", and in one number sounds a cross between Beyonce and Julie Andrews. Love the Nottingham accented Fairy Godmother but I am also a sucker for a powerful nasty woman!

The Ugly Sisters are wonderfully brought to life by Nottingham panto legend John Elkington as Kourtney and Nottingham panto newcomer

Tom Hopcroft

, who looks completely at ease in heels and a frock, as Kylie. Some brilliant scenes with these two including Bolero on wheels and a mad tongue twister, plus of course those crazy costume designs! Just clock what they wear for the wedding scenes at the end.

David Albury plays the handsome Prince who of course falls for the gorgeous Cinderella, played by Gabrielle Brooks. These two are well matched in every way, and especially when they duet during the Prince's Ball... I won't give away the song they sing but it's amazing. And you will gasp as Cinderella's rags turn into that magical ball gown.

Jessica Lee is so cute as Dandini, and is also blessed with a lovely set of vocals.

Back on the Playhouse Panto stage is Tim Frater, this year as Buttons. Tim is the equivalent of opening a bottle of fizzy pop when shaken. He explodes onto the stage and must be powered by some copper topped battery as his energy levels are never ending.

We still have the kids from the audience but socially distanced with their own bit of stage and microphone, so abiding by all the rules put into place, and there is still the audience sing song, so much of the traditional panto fare we have come to love is still in there, just carefully positioned.

Needless to say there are several topical jokes about Brexit and Covid as well as the Big Fat Man with the ruddy complexion with the sack, yes Donald Trump even gets a mention.

"Cinderella" is at the Nottingham Playhouse from Saturday 19 December 2020 - Saturday 16 January 2021. There will be the chance to see the show On Demand as well as Live Streamed on Saturday 19 December and a very special Christmas Eve production with bonus bits! Oh and you can always enjoy it at the theatre as well, so this year there is absolutely no excuse not to see this wonderfully festive, frolic filled and fantastic family fun fest.