Birmingham audiences shall go to the ball in the most magical pantomime of them all, Cinderella. Featuring all of the ingredients of the perfect Hippodrome pantomime: a fabulous cast and orchestra, laugh-out-loud comedy and plenty of boos and hisses for all the family to enjoy. Not one to miss out on a good panto, our own Lilith Hunt-Sheppard went along to watch the show………… Oh no she didn’t!
Some of my earliest memories are of going to the panto with my family as a kid. Keeping up with tradition I took my mum along to watch Birmingham Hippodrome’s seasonal panto Cinderella.
The cast really is second to none with new and old faces alike. One such, panto first timer, is Wolverhampton songstress Beverley Knight who the audience welcomes with open arms. She is the perfect Fairy Godmother that everyone immediately falls in love with. With a twinkle in her eye, magic in her wand and her incredible voice she spreads her magic for all to enjoy.
Another panto first timer is Strictly Come Dancing favourite, Danny Mac. Taking a break from Sunset Boulevard, Danny plays the dashing Prince Charming whose good looks and dance moves not only win over Cinderella but the audience too.
Former Hearsay singer Suzanne Shaw plays leading character Cinderella along with her wicked sisters played by Ceri Dupree and David Dale. Their outrageous costumes and cutting wit seem no match for Cinder’s and make the perfect baddies in this magical fairy tale.
Audience favourite has to be Cinder’s best friend Button’s played by Matt Slack. This is his fifth consecutive year at the Hippodrome for him and he just gets better each time. Young or old, he had the audience in fits of laughter throughout and even the cast struggled to keep their composure at times. Partner Button’s up with VAT men The Grumbleweeds and you have some real laugh out loud moments.
Harrison and Qdos have filled the script with Birmingham references that the locals can relate to. The set is stunning and just twinkles throughout but my favourite moment is when Cinder’s horse and carriage takes flight out across the audience.
This year Cinderella is simple panto at it’s very best. Not matter whether young or old, it’s filled with such magic and wonder that just leaves you thinking, WOW!
Cinderella is running till January 28th at Birmingham Hippodrome.
To book your tickets click HERE