CINDERELLA

Tyne Theatre and Opera House

★★★★

“transport yourself to a land of merry magic, music, and magnificent comedy”

Cinderella at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House is the perfect addition to any festive family plans. Directed excellently by Glen Murphy, this hilarious panto brings a sparkle of magic to Newcastle this December.

Ready to go with a gorgeous set and all its classic panto gags; Cinderella just about hits all the beats. Not a moment is wasted to get a chuckle, boo, or “he’s behind you” from the audience, and the flow of the show is quick-paced and engaging. Buttons, played by Charlie Richmond, punctuates every scene he is in with fabulously hilarious one-liners and ad-libs, and keeps the pace of the show chugging on. Moreover, Guy Pascall, Charlie Richmond, and Tom Whalley’s writing is laugh-a-second and knows how to get even the grumpiest of parents to respond with “oh no he didn’t”.

The script does have a reliance on reinforcing quite a traditional fairy-tale message. Although Cinderella makes a point of celebrating meeting someone that values her in her prince, it would also have been positive to have more emphasis on Cinderella’s escape from her toxic sisters, and independence from that environment, rather than her dreams entirely revolving round finding a man to marry. The unnecessary addition of a romantic plot with Buttons does also give some food for thought. I can’t help but wonder how much more enjoyable a purely platonic relationship between Cinderella and Buttons from the get-go might be.

Expectedly straying occasionally from the well-known fairy-tale, the show allows lesser-known characters such as the prince’s footmen (played brilliantly by dance duo Twist and Pulse) to the forefront to really shine. They are truly standout across the show, mesmerising the audience with tirelessly funny and astonishing dancing. Jamie Corner as Prince Canny and Robbie Dee as Baron Hardup round off the cast well. Dee’s slapstick comedy is stupendous, and Corner keeps up the pace with the demanding choreography he performs alongside with Twist and Pulse.

Kerry Blaskett-Wetherall’s choreography is spellbinding and uplifts the talented dancing ability of the ensemble. Overall, the dancing strength of the cast out-shines the vocal punch of the show. However, there are some standout singers. the show’s tremendous leading lady, Scarlett Robinson, impressively displays both her acting and singing talent as Cinderella, creating a truly memorable experience that will leave both kids and adults speechless. The live band also add to the seamless magic of the production, lifting every scene with live sound effects, fourth wall breaks, and moving swiftly between the variety of catchy pop song medleys. Most song choices feel current and give nods to music enjoyed by kids and their parents, including the likes of Backstreet Boys and ABBA, but also KPop Demon Hunters and Wicked. Admittedly, some music feels a tad dated, and the constant medleys do feel somewhat excessive at times. I couldn’t help but feel cheated of hearing longer versions of some song-choices, especially when Robinson sings them so beautifully.

The Ugly Stepsisters, played by Lewis Denny and Micky Cochrane, are everything audiences want panto dames to be. Their scenes are overflowing with quick-wit innuendo and enormous energy, interacting with the audience with close-to-the-bone one-liners. Their matching over-the-top costuming, by David Gibson and Alice Frith, is worth buying a ticket for alone. Equally, Maureen Nolan’s Fairy Godmother adds a lot to her magical performance. Nolan’s highlights include her rendition of her hit ‘I’m In the Mood for Dancing’, where fans of the song and Nolan can enjoy its up-beat fun; perfectly befitting a Prince’s ball! Nolan’s lines and delivery feel a little cheesy as she appears across the show- but isn’t that made for pantomime?

Ideal for the whole family; this is not a show to miss! Head down to Cinderella at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House to transport yourself to a land of merry magic, music, and magnificent comedy.

CINDERELLA

Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Reviewed on 13th December 2025

by Molly Knox

Photography by Limelight Studios

Cinderella

Full casting is announced today for Footloose: The Musical, which returns next month following a smash-hit 2016 tour. Opening at New Wimbledon Theatre on Friday 21 April, the tour will include a strictly limited West End season at The Peacock, playing for three weeks from Tuesday 12 September 2017. Full tour schedule attached.

Joshua Dowen will play Ren McCormack, the role immortalised on screen by Kevin Bacon. Joshua’s stage credits include Dogfight at Southwark Playhouse, Cool Rider at the Duchess Theatre and All or Nothing at the Vaults Festival.

The cast also features Hannah Price (reprising her performance from the 2016 tour) as Ariel Moore, Reuven Gershon (Let It Be, West End and Broadway) as Reverend Shaw, Lindsay Goodhand (Crazy For You, Watermill Theatre) as Ethel McCormack, Laura Sillett (Grease, International Tour) as Rusty, Connor Going (The Pirates of Penzance, Sh*tfaced Shakesepare) as Chuck, Emma Fraser (The Vaudevillians, Les Enfants Terribles) as Wendy Jo, Gracie Lai (Avenue Q, UK Tour) as Urleen, Tomas Wolstenhome (Once, West End) as Bickle, Dominic Gee Burch as Jeter and Alex Marshall (Buddy, UK Tour) as Wes. The cast also includes Luke Dowling, Grace Lancaster, Laurence Libor, Jamie Ross and Lauren Storer.

They join the previously announced Gareth Gates as Willard and Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore.

Based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose: The Musical tells the story of city boy Ren, who has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren breaks loose and soon has the whole town up on its feet. Featuring classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear it for the Boy and the unforgettable title track, Footloose: The Musical is set to take the world by storm once again, bursting with youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music.

When the film was released in 1984, it became the highest-grossing February release in US film history. The soundtrack album ended the year-long reign of Michael Jackson’s Thriller at number one and went on to top album charts all over the world, eventually selling in excess of 17 million copies. Footloose was nominated for a Golden Globe, and both the title song and Let’s Hear It for the Boy received Academy Award nominations. Footloose: The Musical first opened on Broadway in 1998 where it ran for 709 performances, with a London production following in 2006.

Gareth Gates rose to fame through the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, going on to sell over 5 million records worldwide and have hits across the globe. His version of Unchained Melody sold over a million copies in the UK and is the 3rd best-selling single of the Noughties. Gareth is also the youngest ever-male solo artist to debut at number 1. More recently Gareth has enjoyed a successful career on stage, with credits including Les Misérables, Legally Blonde and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. In 2014 Gareth appeared in the final series of Dancing on Ice, and joined boyband 5th Story as part of ITV’s second series of The Big Reunion, touring arenas with bands including Blue and Five.

Gareth will not appear in Wimbledon and Chester.

Maureen Nolan has been singing with her sisters since she was nine years old, when they became one of Europe’s first girl bands, The Nolans. Best known for their smash hit single I’m in the Mood for Dancing, The Nolans enjoyed phenomenal record sales worldwide, and worked with some of the world’s most respected artists including Frank Sinatra. On stage, Maureen has played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in the West End and on tour to critical acclaim. She was the fourth Nolan sister to play the role, earning them entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. Other credits include Sadie in Girl’s Behind, Jill in Mum’s the Word and Sarah in The Naked Truth.

Footloose: The Musical has music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and is adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. It is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. It is directed by Racky Plews (American Idiot, West End) with choreography by Matthew Cole, design by Sara Perks and musical supervision by Mark Crossland. It is produced by David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree for Selladoor Productions, Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Jason Haigh-Ellery and Stephen McGill Productions. It is presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

Tag Archives: Maureen Nolan

CINDERELLA

★★★★

Tyne Theatre and Opera House

CINDERELLA

Tyne Theatre and Opera House

★★★★

“transport yourself to a land of merry magic, music, and magnificent comedy”