A Fab-u-lous Night at the Theatre: Cinderella Shines at Theatre Royal! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🎭 Artspod Goes to the Panto: Cinderella at Theatre Royal Nottingham ✨

For us at Artspod, Christmas doesn’t officially start until we go and see a panto… I’m sure there’s a law about it somewhere? So when we got the invite to visit this year’s show, Cinderella, at the Theatre Royal Nottingham, we jumped at the chance. And before you ask, it wasn’t just the oldies that went — we were blessed with the company of Alex (15) and Eleanor (12), who were the critics the show needed to win over 😂.

For those of you who haven’t had the chance to visit the Theatre Royal, we’d urge you to book some seats for this year’s panto — or book to see a different show next year. The venue is nothing short of spectacular: the atmosphere is electric and the auditorium is jaw-dropping. We all took our seats and sat back to enjoy a magical, transportive, laugh-packed evening.

From the moment the curtains rose, you could tell the pantomime was going to be something special: shimmering costumes, a stunning set, and an electric buzz of excitement from families all around us (the venue was full to the brim). You can always tell from the very start how good a show is going to be by listening to the audience around you, and it was obvious from the off that everyone was loving every moment.

Stealing the show with undeniable stage presence and belly laughs was Craig Revel Horwood as the Wicked Stepmother, Baroness Demonica Hardup. Craig’s take on pantomime villainy lends more than a nod to his persona as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing: equal parts fabulously wicked and cheekily camp, with a wonderful voice (who knew he was such a good singer?!) and those signature Strictly catchphrases and dance moves that had the audience erupting in giggles at every turn. He doesn’t just play the villain — he owns every spotlight, luxuriates in every evil laugh, and somehow makes being a dastardly duchess feel like the most fun you’ll have at the theatre all year.

Then there’s Neil Hurst as Buttons, always the heart, humour and host of the whole production. Neil connects effortlessly with audiences young and old, leaping out of the story at just the right moments to tease the crowd, trade silly faces with kids, or launch into brilliantly timed gags. We were in stitches (including Alex and Eleanor) watching him improvise, poke fun at panto tropes, and even rope a few eager little helpers onstage for the infamous “Smart Fellers” routine.

At the centre of it all was Elly Jay as Cinderella: warm-hearted, versatile, and with a voice that floated effortlessly over every musical number. Elly’s Cinderella has just the right mix of sweetness and courage; she’s not a damsel waiting to be saved so much as a heroine we root for from the very first moment she enters. Her scenes with Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Prince Charming felt genuinely affectionate (without sliding into saccharine territory), and there’s a natural sparkle to their partnership that makes the classic love story feel fresh.

Next… let’s talk fairy dust. Christina Bianco as the Fairy Godmother brings dazzle, humour and real vocal fireworks to the stage. Whether she’s swooping in with a puff of magic (every… single… time… it made us jump 🤣) or cracking up the audience with her signature impressions and show-stopping numbers, Christina strikes the perfect balance between enchanting and hilarious — exactly the sort of fairy godmother you wish would pop up at Christmas dinner.

The supporting cast bring their own joy too: Daniel Norford as Dandini keeps the laughs flowing with cheeky energy, and the wicked sisters (Britt Lenting and May Tether — love their names… Tess and Claudia 😅) have their own special stage chemistry and gloriously chaotic presence whenever they’re onstage. The entire ensemble works like a finely tuned pantomime machine, bursting with dance, music, slapstick chase scenes, and enough visual sparkle to light up Christmas Village.

From flying coach magic to laughter-inducing local nods, glittering Strictly-style choreography, and moments that had everyone clapping along, this production delivers everything you want from a family panto night out.

If you’re looking for a festive treat that brilliantly balances timeless fairy-tale warmth with outrageous comedy and first-rate performances, Theatre Royal Nottingham’s Cinderella is a masterpiece of merry-making. Get your tickets now while you still can.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Magic, music, and more laughs than you can shake a magical fairy wand at!