Cinderella at King’s Head Theatre

Written and directed by Andrew Pollard, Cinderella draws from Islington’s rich history of pantomime while also carving out its own irreverent, modern identity. In the riotous, thoroughly localised take on the classic tale, the full-scale family pantomime following the fairytale romance of Cinderella (Maddy Erzan-Essien) and Prince Charming (Joseph Lukehurst) is full of sharp cultural references, geographical humour and dazzling theatricality. 

While the evil stepmother, voiced by Miriam Margolyes, makes her presence known solely through phone calls as she undergoes every conceivable plastic surgery procedure in Turkey, Cinderella’s stepsisters, hilariously reimagined as Peckham (Ella Vaday) and Dalston (Harry Curley), steal the show as vivacious caricatures of their boroughs. Decked out in flamboyant, avant-garde outfits and armed with exaggerated accents, they readily play up their stereotypes, peppering their performance with the occasional saucy dig at Islington. Drag humour takes centre stage, with Vaday – a former contestant on the third series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – delivering a standout performance in tandem with Curley. The duo’s natural chemistry and dynamic comic timing keep the audience laughing, while their risqué antics and bickering add an extra layer of scandalous fun to the production. Drag integrates seamlessly into pantomime’s inherently over-the-top, campy world, adding to all the comedy and chaos. Meanwhile, the well-dwelling Fairy Codmother (Lucia Vinyard) brings a more traditional panto charm, creating a perfect balance between modern humour and classic whimsy. 

Equally impressive is the show’s knack for staying exceedingly relevant, easily weaving the past year’s cultural touchstones into its lines and musical numbers. Mentions of “holding space” and “demure” rub shoulders with Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso, making the script feel fresh and akin to an end-of-year wrap-up.

Pollard pays homage to Sadler’s Wells Theatre and its pantomime heritage by centring the story – quite literally – around a well. This singular stage fixture serves as a versatile motif, creatively transformed throughout the performance from a thermal spa for the stepsisters to the magical lodging of the Fairy Codmother. The atmosphere is enchanting, enhanced by the purple-hued neon lighting and the instantly recognisable narration by Dame Judi Dench. While some of the longer-running gags, such as the signature cheers of Cinderella’s friend Buttons (Robert Rees), begin to feel a bit repetitive towards the end of the two-hour show, Cinderella‘s exuberant spirit makes it a thoroughly fun watch for the holidays with its fresh, drag-inspired twist and a strong cast that brings an infectious energy to the stage.

Christina Yang
Photos: Charlie Flint

Cinderella is at King’s Head Theatre from 30^th November 2024 until 5^th January 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Cinderella at King’s Head Theatre here: