Panto review: Absolutely spellbinding is Velvet’s verdict on Cinderella

Magical, hypnotic, enchanting, uplifting. . .there are hardly enough superlatives to do justice to this year’s panto extravaganza at Cambridge Arts Theatre!

From the moment the curtain raised on Cinderella to reveal a stunning set with colourful cloths depicting the mighty King’s College from the River Cam, we were treated to a vibrant, soul-soaring, laughter-inducing tour de force!

Back for his nineteenth Arts Theatre pantomime, the much-loved Matt Crosby had the audience eating out of his hand from the minute he zoomed zanily onto stage on a micro scooter, exuding boyish charm as Cinderella’s cheerful sidekick Buttons.

Though he’s been camping it up as the Dame since 2012, he excelled in the role of the rosy-cheeked Buttons, his impeccable timing raising the roof again and again as he hit us with a non-stop volley of gags (most Cambridge-related!). We particularly liked the quip about the A14’s notorious congestion problem being cleared up by a lorry spillage of Vicks Vaporub! *Humour not to be sniffed at*

Chloe Gentles was simply dazzling as Cinderella, who rather than being a downtrodden beauty was a Generation Alpha heroine; sweet-yet-strong with a passion for nature, she was pursuing her studies at Hardup College, with her heart set on a Harvard place.

Not only did her acting and dancing skills shine, but her powerhouse vocals were worthy of the West End! And, on that note, let’s talk Prince Charming, played by Jack Wilcox, whose spine-tingling rendition of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman hushed the audience into silence. The performance was made all the more exhilarating by the projection of countless shimmering spotlights into the auditorium as the song referenced ‘all the shine of a thousand spotlights’. Just wow.

The Prince had some brilliant banter with his sidekick Dandini, played by Alex Bloomer (who harboured a not-so-secret crush on his lord and master), and thrilled the audience when he rocked out a highly-accomplished tap dance at the palace ball. It was nothing short of spectacular and, in true panto style, descended into hilarity as Buttons and the Wicked Stepsisters emerged stage right sporting actual giant taps, flopping from side to side amusingly on their heads. A ‘tap’ battle ensued, of course!

Props to the wardrobe department for conjuring up the most outrageously garish outfits for Cinderella’s Wicked Stepsisters, Tess and Claudia, played by side-splitting duo Harry Howle and Steven Roberts. From their arrival on stage in Cruella de Vil-inspired monochrome monstrosities to emerging for a dip in the River Cam in wacky wetsuits, complete with flippers and rubber rings, they never failed to raise a laugh or a barrage of boos as they cackled through the show, causing constant consternation to their stepdad Baron Hardup, played by the brilliant Stuart Simons.

Anyone who has been to a Cambridge Arts Theatre panto will know about the famous (or should that be infamous) Slosh Scene. A special set is built to allow for complete carnage to ensue as the actors take their lives into their own hands, slopping each other with various liquids, and slipping and sliding uncontrollably all over the place, for comedic effect. This year’s Slosh Scene, set in a dog grooming salon, absolutely lived up to the hype as poor Buttons was drenched in water and sucked manically into a machine off stage several times whilst one Wicked Stepsister lost half her barnet to a pair of dog clippers and the other all-but-expired in a steamy sauna!

Spoiler alert: We may have revealed a little too much already, but can’t not mention the spectacular finale to the first half. As Cinderella is transformed into an ethereal vision by the mesmerising Fairy Goodheart, played by Julia J Nagle, emerging in her ‘dress spun from silver starlight’, the most breathtaking creation fills the stage. A Pegasus with wings flapping and hooves galloping takes flight over the stage pulling Cinderella’s exquisite carriage. It’s a moment of wonder which had the audience entranced.

Cinderella is a special show for Cambridge Arts Theatre as it was their first home-produced pantomime back in 1939. With a dream team lovingly curating the 2024/25 spectacular, a sterling cast and exuberant ensemble, this version will leave you beaming from ear to ear. As the cast sing at the start of the show, it’s time to ‘put on your happy face’.

Cinderella is at Cambridge Arts Theatre until January 5. For more information and ticket prices visit cambridgeartstheatre.com