Cinderella at Watford Palace Theatre review

During the month of December, Cinderella is taking the stage at Watford Palace Theatre in a fun-filled panto

This unique twist on a Disney classic embodies nostalgic, goofy, and pun-filled fun. 

As someone who has watched countless Cinderella-inspired movies, I have never seen a take quite like this. Taking place on New Year's Eve 1999, Cinderella (Soleil Quarless) goes on a journey of self-discovery and stumbles across love. 

Instead of solely conveying a traditional message of love, the play strives to embody self-confidence and perseverance despite hardship. However, contrary to modern ideals condemning classic movies for their lack of feminist ideas, the pantomime still attempts to demonstrate the love story between the prince and Cinderella. Moreover, they go on to challenge masculine stereotypes by having an unconventional, awkward, and nerdy (and therefore probably more realistic) prince. Despite this revelation of sorts, there was still a lack of chemistry between the characters, as their interactions were brief and felt shallow; however, that is true of the original. 

I found the standout characters to be the fairy godmother, ‘Fanny G’  played by Terence Frisch, who was excellently hilarious and a huge hit with not only the children but adults too. And Furby (Mark Pearce), a perfectly wacky and weird 90s twist on the mice Jaq and Gus from the original movie.

The double denim and ‘Clueless’ inspired outfits followed the 90s theme well. Bright coloured costumes of neon pinks, yellows, and greens also helped brighten up the scene, creating a mesmerising, dazzling effect. Furthermore, the Elton John-inspired king adorned in a bedazzled Union Jack puff sleeve robe and Elton-esk glasses was a quirky humourful touch.

Nonetheless, the music performed did not entirely stick to the 90s theme, with songs by Meghan Trainor, Harry Styles, and Dua Lipa making their way into the show. Although the aim may have been to intertwine modern day with the 1990s, it came across as inconsistent when there are thousands of songs to choose from pre-1999 that would have worked. Despite this critique, it may only be noticed by an older audience, as the inclusion of modern culture was clearly appreciated by the younger viewers.

Running until the 31st of December, this panto has a great aura and Christmas atmosphere, ending with a few festive tunes. It is a great way to get your children involved in the drama, as there are multiple chances for audience interactions throughout the show. To book, visit Watford Palace Theatre's website: Cinderella - Watford Palace Theatre