Cinderella At The King’s Theatre, Portsmouth Review

Reviewed by Joanne Hughes

It’s Panto Time in Pompey – and this is one of the best!

Yes everyone, it’s time to gather your family around you and head to your nearest theatre for the festive season’s much-loved pantomime – with dazzling costumes, slap-stick comedy, romance, and the all-important baddies and a Panto Dame – you’re always in for a treat! Cinderella is probably one of the oldest fairy-tales of all-time, and the King’s Theatre pantomime production is definitely a Pompey Panto Pazzazz!

Although, this theatre is quite local to me, I have never visited it before. From the first steps into the foyer, gasps of awe elicited from my mouth – the ornate, grandeur of this magnificent Italian Renaissance style building is inspiring. Equally, the well-planned Christmas decorations and beautiful tree ignited the festive sparkle in my son’s eyes, bringing this wonderful time of the year alive and creating a buzzing feeling of excitement for all.

The show starts on a high with the dazzling Fairy Godmother Twinkletoes – played by Pompey’s resident Panto Dame, Jack Edwards, of West End notability – sending the younger members of the audience (and most of the older ones too!) into guffaws of laughter with his fart jokes and flirtation with ‘A****’ (a front-row dad). (editor’s note – name removed)

We are then immediately whisked away to the little village near “Hardup Hall’ (Cinderella’s home) and introduced to Cinders herself – played by Michelle Antrobus (2007 runner-up of “Grease is the Word”) – impressing us all with her superb vocal talents with a rendition of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. However, in true Denis Norden It’ll be Alright on the Night style, a failure with the music forces the curtain to come down for 15 minutes – a blip which may have been managed slightly more efficiently with some backup entertainment but, nevertheless, did not impede the audience’s enjoyment of the show, especially with the cast’s ability to realise the comedic value of the situation and poke fun at the problem.

As is the panto-way, the two ugly sisters, Nutella (Harry Howle) and Polyfilla (Julia Worsley) are donned in some outrageously, extravagant ‘bling’ costumes and – with their cackling, ghastly humour and revoltingly, hilarious catch-phrase of “Aren’t we Adorable” followed by “Shut-it” in response to the audience’s ‘boos’ – they were a real presence on the stage.

Some of the most memorable highlights of the evening were the “Pun Sketch”, the Boris Johnson Skit, the Ghost Gag and a hilarious version of The Twelve Days of Christmas featuring a ‘bra meant to hold three’ and ‘five toilet rolls’ which ends with toilet rolls being thrown to and from the audience, evoking fits of giggles from my son and his friend, followed by water-pistols soaking as many people as possible.

The blossoming romance of Cinders and Prince Charming – superbly performed by Antrobus and the well-known First Dates actor Grant Urquhart – was touchingly accomplished through fabulous duets and hits from films such as A Star is Born and The Greatest Showman and even Ghostbusters! Equally, Joe Rowntree’s portrayal of Buttons, Cinders lovelorn friend, draws big laughs from the audience, as does that of Ben Ofoedu’s, Dandini (Prince Charming’s male servant).

The excitedly-anticipated ball was spectacular – Cinders arrived in an actual flying carriage – and much fun was had, with Ofoedu getting the party started with his rendition of Boom! Shake the Room! and Turn Around (his own debut single).

The whole show is a success – awesomely acted, superbly sung and dazzlingly danced – it gave us all the warm, fuzzy Christmas glow. The shout-outs added another touch of warmth and a true family feel.

The King’s Theatre is centrally located in Southsea, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby to cater for all your needs. So get yourselves down to this fabulous family panto and help Fairy Twinkletoes get her wings!

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost between £10 and £30.

Cinderella is at the King’s Theatre, Portsmouth from now until the 31st December. There is a relaxed performance on Thursday 8th December and a signed performance on Saturday 10th December. For more information or to book tickets visit kingsportsmouth.co.uk or call the box office on 023 9282 8282.

King’s Theatre, 24 Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 2QJ