Review: CINDERELLA, Mayflower Theatre Southampton

It’s exciting just to be able to sit in a theatre waiting to watch a pantomime performance after the stop and start of last year’s season and the Mayflower Theatre is the perfect venue to be sat in, complete with its beautiful Christmas decorations adorning the auditorium.

We won’t insult you by explaining the story of Cinderella, because everyone knows it!  It would be almost impossible not to know this fairy tale classic.

Debbie McGee is The Fairy Godmother, who appears to the traditional puff of smoke and firework pyrotechnics, and the story and the magic begins.

At the opposite end of the character scale is Craig Revel Horwood as Baroness Demonica Hardup.  In fab-u-lous glittery costumes, his performance is perfectly evil even when showing of his vocal and dance talent.

There is time-honoured comic performance by Suzie Chard as Claudia and Catherine Morris as Tess, Cinderella’s wicked Step Sisters.

Georgia Carr in the title role of Cinderella has the most stunning vocals and shows off her comic timing during a Morecambe and Wise-style piece with Prince Charming and Buttons, as they continuously fight for Cinderella’s attention, whilst singing a love song.

With beautiful costume design by Hugh Durrant and fast paced perfect choreography by Alan Burkitt, this is an all-round spectacular performance.

The star of the show is Richard Cadell, abundant with energy and alongside Sooty and Sweep, naturally, not only are we treated to this classic and believe us, the adults are just as excited to see them as the kids, but astounding magic and comedy tricks too.

So, if you fancy tap dancing pumpkins, magical unicorns, a flying coach and a couple of Queen songs thrown in for good measure, get yourselves down to Southampton, you’re in for a treat!

Enchantingly entertaining!

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Martin

Cinderella plays at the Mayflower Theatre until 2 January 2022, with tickets available here.