A festive production of Cinderella at the Rose Theatre in Kingston offers a witty, modern twist on the classic fairy tale, complete with rapping mice and a magical microwave. Co-written by Chris Bush and Roni Neale, the show runs until 4 January and blends pantomime exuberance with moments of genuine emotional depth.
A Sparky, Modern Retelling
This is not your traditional Cinderella. Here, Ella is a stroppy teenager who must contend with a horrible stepmum and a disastrous vegan dinner before any thought of a ball. The writers inject contemporary humour and inventive stagecraft, including a memorable costume change inside a fridge. While the script is praised for its wit and heart, the production sometimes struggles under the weight of its own complexity, caught between a truthful play and slapdash pantomime conventions.
A Cast of Youth and Experience
True to the Rose Theatre's commitment to nurturing young talent, the cast is largely composed of members of the Rose Youth Theatre company, supported by six professional actors. The young performers shine, particularly a charming trio of cheese-obsessed, rapping mice. Jack Fernie delivers a scene-stealing performance as the deliciously camp cat, Mr Bingles.
Despite Owen Horsley's nifty direction and Ryan Dawson Laight's flamboyant set design, the adaptation feels like an awkward fit at times. The narrative raises persistent questions: Why would this Ella even want to go to a ball? Why are the stepsisters fully grown women? What is the Prince's baffling face-blindness affliction?
Heartfelt Songs Reveal Hidden Depths
The production truly finds its emotional footing when Ella returns to her real-world struggles. Matt Winkworth's songs, which until this point feel like skits, suddenly become laden with feeling and purpose.
Kara Lily Hayworth, as the stepmother, imbues 'The Witching Hour' with palpable frustration and sorrow, singing of her love for her "impossible" stepdaughter. Maddy Hunter's Ella movingly conveys the difficulties of blended family life in the song 'I Remember'.
In these moments, a beautiful play about the complex love between a stepmother and stepdaughter emerges in tantalising bursts, though it often gets lost in the surrounding noise and bustle. This Cinderella is a festive show with spark and ambition, offering both laughter and unexpected poignancy.
