The production carried on the time-honoured Panto tradition of men dressed as women declaring their undying love for women dressed as men. Directors Richard Way and Richard Fawcett allowed the cast freedom to develop their own interpretation of the characters with wonderfully comedic results.

The very lovely Charlie Billson played Cinderella with waif- like huggable desperation. Her unrequited love, Buttons, was wonderfully portrayed by Jo-Anne Kaye, whilst the ugly sisters, Belladonna and Calamity, played by Julian Prime and Carl Duffy, had you crying with laughter, yet cringing in terror of becoming a victim, and certainly begging for more.

Panto veteran Richard Fawcett, as ever, gave a sterling performance as bumbling Baron Hardup, as did Wanda Sellar as his thoroughly disagreeable wife, Asenica. The delectable Prince Charming was thigh-slappingly portrayed by Isabelle Nutton resplendent in knee length boots and fishnets, whilst the role of her long suffering footman, Dandini, was shared between young Scott Edwards and Louise Moore.

Other shared roles included the Palace cats, Scruff (Sophie Williams/Raven McMenemie) and Smokey (Rebecca "Boo" Edwards/Josie Couthino). Keeping them all under control was the matriarchal Fairy Godmother (Sue Clark/Jessica Millar).

The Charlotte School of Dance entertained with highly professional routines, whilst scenes and costumes were feverishly changed and the composure of the actors regained!
Tribute must be made to the stage and technical crew who oiled the wheels of a very wonderful production of an age old favourite fairytale.

What a brilliantly produced and acted show, it could be favourably compared with many professional productions. Bravo to all those involved!

Caroline Duffy