Review: Cinderella at New Wimbledon Theatre for panto magic

I’m not usually the loudest when it comes to audience participation in family theatre shows. But on Tuesday night, I think our family of four were struck by panto fever.

We had been invited to review New Wimbledon Theatre’s seasonal pantomime Cinderella, and were all in the mood for giggles and laughs.

This year, New Wimbledon Theatre delivers a twist on the classic fairy tale Cinderella, complete with what we’ve come to expect from a pantomime, such as male actors dressed as women in eye-catching costumes–including two, bulky, chandelier-shaped dresses–comic performances, catchy songs and dancing, and, of course, audience interaction.

After being introduced to this version of Cinderella, which features the unique character Buttons, played by comedian and magician Pete Firman, we were soon ready to get involved.

We started off with the whole family joining with the rest of the audience in helping to warn Buttons that his crush Cinderella, played by The Pussycat Dolls singer Melody Thornton, was walking towards his sparkly present. Later there were plenty of opportunities for audiences to go ‘Aaaaw’ to show sympathy with the loved-up Buttons, and in true panto-style, there were also a number of audience members on stage for various magic and comedy acts.

In fact, the production regularly defers from the plot, sometimes with magic tricks performed by Pete Firman. The highlight was when Firman had a member of the audience donate a 10 pound note and write his name on it, and the note magically appeared inside two sealed envelopes inside a zipped-up purse.

This year, Firman is also leading the show when it comes to giggle-worthy moments. Audiences can expect a dose of toilet humour when Buttons and Cinderella’s evil step mother, played by EastEnders star Samantha Womack, are in the forest, playing a truth game that sees Buttons losing more and more clothes as he lies his way through to the end of the game.

In between all the panto madness, there are also some musical moments that pop. I particularly enjoyed the sharp dancing by Prince Charming and the ensemble during his song A Prince Like Me, which sees him swapping identities with his royal servant Dandini, who follows up with some funny flossing. Other memorable moments included seeing Cinderella fly off in a stunning, moving carriage to singing by the Fairy Godmother, played by actress Lesley Garrett.

The dazzling carriage, as well as a giant, windmill-style sparkler creating a backdrop for Cinderella and Prince Charming, were also some of the wow-features of the staging, which we’ve come to love at the New Wimbledon Theatre pantomimes.

After watching the show, it is still the funny Buttons–Pete Firman–who’s been the topic of conversation, impressing with his comedy-magic. And thinking back to the way Firman ended the show with having us all the join in speed signing a four-liner, starting with ‘One smart feller he felt smart’, still makes us smile .

The Cinderella pantomime is now playing at New Wimbledon Theatre until 5 January 2020.

Photos: Craig Sugden Photography

Tags: Christmas 2019, New Wimbledon Theatre, Pantomime, Review