Review Of Cinderella At Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot, Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Elaine Hatch
On Tuesday, 25th November, I had the pleasure of attending Cinderella at the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Merseyside. I went with four tickets—two adults and two 11-year-old children—so we could enjoy both an adult and a child’s perspective on the performance.
The venue itself is stunning, with a traditional 470-seat timber-framed Shakespearean theatre at its heart. We were seated in the Lower Gallery, just behind the “Cockpit” area, giving us an excellent view of the stage in the centre.
This production of Cinderella is an absolute delight! It included all the classic elements—the wicked stepmother, her two dreadful daughters, the fairy godmother, and of course, the glass slippers—but added clever twists and emotional inserts that took us from belly laughs to moments of tenderness, and back to sheer joy. It was smart and funny, and very well produced.
The story begins with Fairy 23780 being assessed for a promotion from Tooth Fairy to Fairy Godmother. From there, we follow Cinderella’s journey: starting happily with her parents, then enduring life under her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, who force her into a life of chores. The setting, “Prescotasia,” is a local twist, with playful nods to other nearby places like PoolLiver and Rainyhill.
When Prince Flarf and his parents host a grand party in Prescotasia to find the Prince a bride, that’s when Cinders gets her chance to go to the ball!
The transformation scene—with the pumpkin turning into a glittering carriage and the iconic glass slippers—was enchanting. The Prince (and his trusty steed Malcolm!) eventually reunite with Cinderella, while the stepmother hilariously schemes to marry off one of her daughters. Traditional pantomime fun was in full swing, with great audience participation throughout, coaxing us into shouts of “It’s behind you!” and “Oh yes it is / Oh no it isn’t.”
A highlight was “The Pibble,” a dance taught by the cast that had everyone on their feet joining in!
The play closes with a heartwarming message about kindness—how it feels better to be kind than cruel—a perfect sentiment for the festive season and beyond.
The soundtrack was fantastic, with the audience clapping and singing along to hits like I’m Every Woman (Chaka Khan), Common People (Pulp), and Somebody to Love (Queen), among others.
The five-person cast was outstanding, seamlessly switching between roles. Emma Bispham shone as the wicked stepmother—both funny and deliciously evil. Elliot Kingsley had us in stitches as the food-obsessed sister and King Dean, and brought some calm and magic to his role as Father Time. Tia Larsen, who never fails to please, gave a tender, memorable performance as Cinderella.
For us, the standout performances were Thomas Cotran as the flamboyant Prince Flarf—who finally stood up to his parents to marry his true love—and Emma Grace Arends, who was hilarious as Fairy 23780 and the Herald, keeping the audience laughing throughout.
The entire cast was superb, earning rapturous applause at the end. As we left, smiles were everywhere, and “The Pibble” spilled into the foyer and even onto the street!
This show is a wonderful, magical experience that I wholeheartedly recommend for families in the run-up to Christmas or to kick-start 2026.
Written by Nick Lane and directed by Nicole Behan—don’t miss it!
Rating: 5/5
Cinderella is on from Monday 24th November 2025 – Saturday 10th January 2026 with a number of access performances available on certain dates.
Tickets prices range from £5 – £35 dependent on date/time of your visit.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit: https://shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk/
Shakespeare North Playhouse
Prospero Place, Prescot, L34 3AB