A witty festive retelling with big laughs for all ages
Rose Theatre’s Cinderella is a modern, heartfelt and humorous twist on a classic fairy tale.
The show, part of the local theatre’s festive offering, is a contemporary musical spin on the familiar story rather than a traditional panto.
It is also a family-friendly show, with jokes that adults will appreciate without ever tipping into anything that would make it feel less suitable for younger audiences.
The story begins with modern-day family chaos. As Christmas approaches, Ella (Maddy Hunter) is struggling to adjust to her life with her father’s new partner Lilith (Lily Hayworth) and two baby sisters (aka the ‘ugly stepsisters’).
Preparations for a vegan festive meal become a running joke and point of friction between family members as a Christmas wish takes Ella into a magical world of castles, balls and potential happily-ever-afters. But the ordinariness beforehand helps the show feel current without losing the fairy tale edge.
The show plays with what we think we know about Cinderella. The familiar elements are there: the prince, the ball, the magic. But the story is less interested in simply ticking those boxes and more interested in what happily-ever-after actually means for Ella.
The biggest change is emotional rather than visual. This version gives the ‘wicked stepmother’ dynamic a more human edge and repositions Ella’s journey around the value of family, not just romance. The contrast between everyday Christmas tension and the fantasy world is what makes the retelling successful.
The fairy tale is not just an escape here, it becomes a way for Ella to understand the value of what she already has.
Visually, the production is a treat. The lighting is polished and helps the transition between scenes feel smooth. The set and decorative touches are simple yet creative, with a rotating four-sided house structure to provide a different backdrop for each scene. Costumes add another layer of fun. They are colourful, inventive and nicely varied across the ensemble.
The songs are another highlight. They are fun, catchy and help keep the pace of the story. They nicely support the overall flow of the story without making it overstuffed. The show does not feel too long and knows exactly how to keep the audience’s attention.
A big part of the show’s energy comes from the ensemble. Rose’s commitment to showcasing Rose Youth Theatre performers alongside a small professional cast gives the production a distinctive spark.
The young performers bring a freshness and vitality to the show. The experienced cast matches that momentum, especially the stepmother, who brings warmth and emotional weight to the story’s family dynamic.
But for pure scene-stealing comedy, the ugly sisters (Corrina Buchan and Hannah Akhalu) and Mr Bingels (Jack Ferne) are hard to beat. Their performances add a punch of fun and keep the audience in the performance I saw laughing.
If you are expecting a traditional panto, Cinderella is not quite that. Instead, this is a musical with panto-style chaos and comical touches. Some might consider the tonal mix uneven, but from an audience perspective, the overall effect is joyful and the show is definitely easy to enjoy.
Witty, warm and family-friendly, the Rose’s Cinderella is a festive win.
Cinderella runs till 4 January at the Rose Theatre.
