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The Royal & Derngate, in collaboration with Evolution Productions, has once again delivered a pantomime brimming with laughter, sparkle, and just the right balance of tradition and modernity. This year’s Cinderella is a refreshing twist on the classic tale, blending bold characterisation, local humour, and strong performances to create a thoroughly entertaining evening for all ages.

In this version, Cinderella isn’t just the downtrodden girl waiting for a Prince to save her—she’s a self-assured young woman who’s determined to chart her own path. It’s a subtle but meaningful shift that feels perfectly in tune with the times, and it’s all set in motion by the fabulous Joanne Clifton, who takes on the role of Fairy. Clifton’s Strictly-honed skills are put to excellent use, from cha-cha-ing through her rhyming couplets to an uproarious in-show version of Strictly Come Dancing, complete with “mystery” celebrity guest appearances. Her charisma lights up the stage, and she keeps the audience enchanted throughout.

For the younger audience members, Andy Day (of CBeebies fame) is a delight as Andini. With his cheeky, light-hearted humour and local references, he’s the kind of panto character who brings unrestrained giggles to little ones and a few knowing smiles to the grown-ups. And no Cinderella is complete without stepsisters—and here, Matt Daines and Gordon Cooper absolutely smash the roles as stepsisters proving they’re no newbies to Pantoland and relish in every audience interaction.

The brilliant Joanne Clifton takes on the role of the fairy, and her performance is nothing short of fabulous. Witnessing her deliver rhyming couplets while expertly Cha-Cha’ing, Tango-ing, and Waltz-ing is a masterclass in multi-tasking that perfectly uses her talent. The cherry on top for strictly fans? A cheeky “live” version of Strictly, where she dazzles as a “mystery” celebrity guest alongside the two “glamorous” hosts—a truly entertaining scene.

Andy Day, known for his lovable CBeebies persona, shines as Andini. His delightful mix of daftness and cheeky humour makes for an endearing character, and thankfully, his jokes are much fresher than the dinosaurs he usually associates with! 

Of course, no pantomime would be complete without the over-the-top villains, and Matt Daines and Gordon Cooper excel in their roles as the hilarious ugly stepsisters. Their show-stopping costumes and sharp tongue-in-cheek humour invite a chorus of boos and laughter as soon as they step on stage. It’s pure joy to see them relish every moment of their characters—such a treat for the audience!

The chemistry between Marcavia McCarthy and Marcellus Whyte is lovely. And while I’m mentioning highlights, let’s not forget Dave Biddy as Buttons, who delivers all the goofy cheer we want from this loveable goofball character.

The show features the famous Royal & Derngate Bench, some local gags, a Taylor and Travis reference, plus an array of delightful Disney puns that had my 3-year-old giggling—a real win for engaging younger audiences! The magical transformation scene is a standout moment, executed with such flair that the enchantment from the children was felt in the gasps as the unicorn glided. 

I loved the song choices, particularly the upbeat “HOTTOGO” and “And You Don’t Even Know It” from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which were fun performances.

One small note: there was a distraction with flashing lights during our performance; however, it’s been acknowledged and was a malfunction that is being addressed. Cinderella is, without a doubt, a festive treat you won’t want to miss, Northampton!