Cinderella at Parr Hall Warrington Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Dottie Rood
“Cinderella” (or The Little Glass Slipper) is a folk tale with thousands of variations. It is told in many formats throughout the world.
Cinderella goes back as far as (and maybe even further!) 1634 and was published in Italy by Giambattista Basile (Pentamerone) with other versions following. The version many people may know is in the folk tale collection by the Brothers Grimm (Aschenputtel), it could be found in Grimms’ Fairy Tales 1812. Many of these older versions may have had different titles and main characters, probably due to the different languages, however in English-Language folklore Cinderella is the archetypal name.
So, should pantomimes continue after Christmas? Oh yes they should!

The story as we probably know it:
Most of us know the Cinderella story, of how a ‘step’ sister, Cinderella, named because she was often found sitting amongst the ‘cinders’ of the fire, was made to do all the chores for her ‘ugly and very mean’ two stepsisters after her Dad married then divorced? their Mum (who probably married him for his money) and then left! We might also remember there was to be a grand ball with Prince Charles attending, he was a very handsome and very eligible bachelor, who was looking for his ‘Princess’. Enter Cinderellas Fairy Godmother, who made it possible for Cinderella to go to the ball, a lost glass slipper at midnight and the Prince finding the owner of the slipper, who he had danced with and fallen in love with, and you’ve got the basic Cinderella story.
The Cinderella story here at Parr Hall followed very similar lines but with added mayhem, jokes, one liners, dancing, singing and a really good cast!
The Fairy Godmother was played by Anne Hegerty (of the Chase fame), she stayed true to her Chase persona throughout but who knew she could sing!

Daniel Dean, who is often found in Parr Hall performances, returns as Buttons who comes out with some current one liners that adults loved, and some very silly songs that the children all loved.
The leading lady Cinderella was played by Charlotte Buxton alongside her Prince Christopher Pym. they both performed really well and sang beautifully and were a joy to watch.
The ugly sisters, Philip Meeks and Matt McInnes, in their varied costumes had the audience booing at all their antics and their Dad, Baron Hard-up, played by Nick Fawcett, played his part well.

A mention should go to Dandini, played by Katie Buttner, for her lovely voice and enthusiasm throughout.
The whole performance was supported by a lovely cast of young singers and dancers who really added a positive input to the whole pantomime.
From the start, where Anne, as the Fairy Godmother, engages with the audience and immediately gets them to join in with their responses, throughout the whole pantomime with it’s very lively dance routines (performed to upbeat, recognisable songs) fast paced jokes and general mayhem to the beautiful (inevitable) happy ending made this was a fun afternoon out.
The audience participation around us, so much laughter and ooohs, boos and aaaarghs made me feel good all over. I felt this was a good time to keep the holiday fun going that all the family could enjoy and due to its reasonably priced tickets is available to most people. They also have accessible performances: Relaxed/Dementia friendly performances on Saturday 11th January 2025 at 9.45 am. Signed performance: Sunday 12th January at 11am and as Parr Hall is not a huge setting it makes it less daunting to younger children and more sensitive adults.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost: £7 to £14
Cinderella Pantomime is at Parr Hall Palmyra Square South, Warrington WA11BL
From: Friday 3rd January 2025 to Sunday 12th January 2025 at 11am,1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7pm and 9.45pm Accessible performances: Relaxed/Dementia friendly Saturday 11th January @ 9.45am Signed performance: Sunday 12th January @ 11am.
For more information or to book tickets, visit parrhall.culturewarrington.org or call the box office on 01925442345–open weekdays 9am to 5pm