Review: Cinderella, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, Tuesday, December 2.

By Adam Williams

Pantomime returned to the Marlowe Theatre with a bang in this latest production from Paul Hendy and Emily Wood’s Evolution Productions.

John Partridge (Prince Charming) and Kate Quinnell (Cinderella) stole the show alongside a lively and enthusiastic cast, with all-rounder Stephen Mulhern (Buttons) once again a firm favourite with young and old.

The new theatre’s first taste of pantomime is a feast of entertainment from start to finish. Some stellar backdrops make full use of stage and scenery, while a seemingly bottomless closet of loud and lavish outfits donned by ugly sisters Ian Smith (Beatrice) and Michael J Batchelor (Eugenie) were more than enough to dazzle the eyes.

Siôn Tudor Owen (Baron Hardup) injects a refreshing burst of new blood to the production with Sue Devaney (Fairy Godmother) a perfect storyteller and one-liner. But, there was still plenty to please the traditionalists.

Have no fear, the bench gag lives on.

Mulhern and Ben Roddy’s (Dandini) marathon board game sketch is another twist on an old favourite while Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly get sent up in a spoof of Strictly Come Dancing.

Fellow EastEnders’ Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning) and Tony Discipline (Tyler Moon) were present to cheer on John Partridge, who looked more than at home on his pantomime debut. He displayed strong vocals and didn’t take himself too seriously amid his popularity with the female element of the audience. Look out for a tribute to Lady Gaga, a spectacular flying horse and carriage, an impromptu snow storm and for one lucky member of the audience, an all important golden key.

Cinderella runs until Sunday, January 22 at the Marlowe Theatre. Call the box office on 01227 787787 or visitwww.marlowetheatre.com