Cinderella: A Fairytale at The Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Deb M
Festivities are starting; theatres, woodland walks, markets and more. But my favourite is definitely the theatre shows. It’s a place to escape the madness, relax with the family and make Christmas memories through laughter and mayhem.
Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the Original Company adaption of Cinderella is uniquely different from the normal sparkles and smiles of Disney. Set as a more modern style tale with music, dance and puppetry of our feathered friends taking us to the happily ever after.
Ella and her devoted father share the love of the woods, these were awesomely depicted using a variety of brooms crisscrossing making the tree canopy with birds of all colours. After her father marries Ella’s stepmother, whose her worst nightmare and her two children, Ella escapes as much as she can into the woods to be with her trusted friends, the birds.
On one afternoon she is in her hideout, enjoying her freedom with her beloved feathered friends when she bumps into a mysterious boy who also seems to love the woods and birds as much as she does. He awkwardly gives her an invitation to the upcoming coming of age celebratory ball of the Prince. Will Ella make it to the Ball?
The first dance of the ball was my favourite!!! They were all in sync and dancing to jazz type music, it seemed more fitting for Wednesday Addams than Cinderella, it brought several chuckles through the audience.
Each of the characters had their own parts to play; they worked well together but for me it was missing something. The normal festive play humour did bring a giggle or two; some of the kids did call out and boo the stepmother, but there needed more interaction with them throughout the show to keep them on the edge of their seats.
There was a huge surprise during the ‘slipper or boot’ fitting and the evil stepmother added a bit of gore. This could have been made into a more intense with a bit of dark humour, but it is understandable due to younger audiences.
Overall, it needs more excitement, audience participation which is clearly written into the play. But it was a success as far as the story it told, the use of puppets and even they have a few surprises under their wings.
Not having been to The Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh I was pleasantly surprised. The outside is extremely modern, clean and inviting. The staff were helpful and so lovely helping us navigate our way around. I appreciated that it had lifts to take us up to the second floor. The biggest and most exciting part was that in the middle of this ultra-modern building is the original 1800s theatre, it was upgraded but none of the charm has been lost. Be mindful when choosing your seats as some of the stage was cut off from where we were seated; it did not make a huge difference but to many it may.
Rating: 5/5 stars
https://lyceum.org.uk/events/cinderella-a-fairytale
Sat 29 Nov 2025 – Sat 3 Jan 2026
Prices: £33 – £10 Depending on area and concession prices. All orders are subjected to a fee of £1.95
Main Auditorium, The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX