My first memories of the panto, half a decade ago, were of being coached off with a load of  very excited kids on a works do at Christmastime – a perk of my dad’s job – and screaming ‘oh no it isn’t!’ and ‘behind you!’ to the cues of the evil stepmother. It is an age-old tradition; fancy costumes, drag queens, glitter, sparkling dance routines, songs, slapstick, phnah phnah jokes and a comfortable, age-old plot and script, with a happy-ever after ending.

Times have changed, and so with it the panto tradition. This current production of Cinderella, playing in Woking, has most of the traditional elements, but is presented in a reimagined and invigorating way. This Tuesday night was played to a full capacity audience and the atmosphere was vibrant; the foyers were packed with excited glittered up kids and prosecco swigging parents and grandparents. A new pre-drinks and pizza menu drew in the crowds and the place was buzzing an hour before the production started.

This production takes full advantage of technical effects; a multitude of lights, fireworks, a bit of magic,  a live band in the pit and simple but effective set changes add a distinct level of glamour and excitement to the show, which kicks off with a floating, glittering, sassily dressed Fairy Godmother to entrance the young audience. Brian Conley, current Eastenders star and veteran of TV and stage plays Buttons and is undoubtably the star of the show. His easy-going, extremely likeable lad persona oozes delight into the audience, getting them engaged and laughing along right from the get-go. The first half an hour you might forget that this is a show for children, as the humour is directed very much at the adults in the auditorium. From the beginning, we are laughing and appreciating the local and topical references as the script targets the Woking audience.

The plot, if somewhat pared down in traditional characters, follows the expected pathway, with some exceptions. The story focuses more on the theme of friendship than on finding the man of your dreams, and the jokes, songs and audience engagement keeps you on your toes. It’s easy to forget the traditional tropes and there’s not one ‘oh no he isn’t, oh yes he is is,’ gag throughout. It is not missed, as the constant fun and frivolity rages on.

Shout outs go out not only to the well-rehearsed cast and seamless production, but also to the audience members who Inadvertently became part of the spectacle. A young man called Quentin, perhaps regretting his family’s choice of front row seats, was called upon to sing along with Conley, giving a surprisingly excellent finale to an Elvis number. The audience loved it. 

In brief, this production of Cinderella gives a full value-for-money night out, enjoyable for all the family, with or without kids. It was joyous to hear the children and adults laughing around us, being purely and simply entertained. It’s a long time since I’ve seen panto and I couldn’t be more impressed by it’s retelling of itself. This tradition is not going away anytime soon.

Cinderella is playing at the New Victoria in Woking from Friday 2nd  to Saturday 31st December.

[Amanda Briggs, December 2022]