★★★★

“Sumptuous, hilarious, sparkling and completely over the top”

The most magical thing about watching Cinderella is that you know the story, the characters and the outcome. It is a universal story of adversity and justice, and the transformative powers of love and kindness. It has been performed, in various adaptations, possibly millions of times around the world. In Britain alone, it is one of the most frequently mounted pantomimes.

Yet, in the hands of a masterly production, you can still be enthralled. In fact, much of the enchantment comes from the fact you DO know what’s going on. So, in the audience, you become collaborator and co-creator, and in some weird way, know that the success of the evening is greatly down to you.

That’s enough theorising – Hackney Empire’s seasonal Cinderella, in the hands of writer Will Brenton and director Clive Rowe, delivers that masterly production. Sumptuous, hilarious, sparkling and completely over the top. Brenton and Rowe are masters. The credits in the programme are too long to even begin a selection, but think productions of The Addams Family and Chicago – Rowe has been involved in these and many more. With such credentials, the evening guaranteed brilliance.

For a start there was a proper band. Led by Wendy Gadian as musical director and arranger, the four musicians managed to sound like a complete orchestra. The music – a mix of classic Christmas and contemporary pop with original material and songs by Steven Edis – yielded sophisticated dance numbers, rousing choruses, some poignant solos and great audience involvement. At one point, a few songsters joined in from the stalls even before the invitation.

Then there was the villain – the wicked stepmother. Gloriously attired in costumes by designer Cleo Pettitt, and prowling about the stage to audience boos, Alexandra Waite-Roberts was, for me, the outstanding act. She is a musical performer of the highest calibre with huge on-stage charisma. Her song number ‘I am going to live till I die’ and a short Bob Fosse-style dance sequence (choreography by Michael Ward) were two of the show’s delights.

But then picking out any performer seems churlish. Kat B and George Heyworth as Flatula and Nausea (the Ugly Sisters) held the show together. Jade Johnson as the Fairy Godmother and Siobhan James as Cinderella were the charmers, while Nicholas McLean, as a cheeky Buttons hopelessly in love with Cinders, gave us a light touch of pathos – as well as being a belting singer.

It was a big ensemble, appropriate for the gorgeous Hackney Empire. Supporting the main cast and ensemble were 25 students from the Vestry School of Dance and Performing Arts. Every one was excellently integrated and a credit to the show.

The final must-mention was the on-stage spectacle delivered by a hugely talented creative, production and technical team with lighting by Tim Mitchell and sound by Richard Bell. The backdrops were all spun with glitter – we got a frost festival, a woodland glade, a castle on a mountain and Hardup Hall, home to Cinderella and her stepsisters. As the first act closes and the fairy godmother sends Cinders to the ball, the technics were all pulled out and a piece of completely awesome stage magic was performed to gasps by the audience. It would be quite wrong to spoil the moment. Go and see for yourself.

Do you need reminding of the story? Cinderella is a classic folk tale (French) of a virtuous working girl extremely down on her luck and being bullied. But her beauty and goodness have been noticed and there is a handsome prince loose in the district – Hackney in the Holly in this case – who is looking for a wife (and to be recognised for himself). So, Hey Presto! Magic brings the two together and all wrongs are righted. In the meantime we have all enjoyed nearly three hours of laughter, sung along to some great music, been awestruck, thrilled and thoroughly satisfied. What better way to open the Christmas season?

THE SNOWMAN

Peacock Theatre

★★★★

“a seasonal delight that will see families gasping with wonder”

For many Brits, it’s not Christmas until ‘The Snowman’ graces the TV. At the Peacock Theatre, the beloved figure steps off the screen and onto the stage once again, returning to deliver festive magic for all ages.

The plot shouldn’t be a surprise. A boy’s snowman miraculously springs to life, leading to a night of mischief and adventure. A magical flight to the North Pole culminates in a lively gathering with Father Christmas and friends. Additional characters, the Ice Princess and Jack Frost, add a touch of drama before the inevitable bittersweet return.

‘The Snowman’ is based on the beloved book by Raymond Briggs and film by Dianne Jackson and John Coates. Adapted by Birmingham Repertory Theatre, it’s been a winter West End staple since 1997. The perfect concept for a dance show, Howard Blake, Bill Alexander and Robert North’s scenario fleshes out the plot, adding a little drama and showing off the Snowman’s technical abilities. More female characters balance the male centred narrative, though casting the Ice Princess as an object of male rivalry feels dated in 2025. Even more outdated are characters with Middle Eastern and East Asian overtones, a pervasive feature of ballet tradition which could do with graceful retirement.

Director Bill Alexander sprinkles stage magic throughout, from fruit nose swaps and surprise confetti to perfectly timed snowfall. The extended flying sequence is a highlight, capturing the film’s wonder in real time. A softened ending, complete with a hopeful dusting of snow and jubilant curtain call, appeals to younger children. Still, at nearly two hours, it could do with tightening – especially the more static first act. Furthermore, frequent blackout scene changes slow Act 1’s pace, some of which could be swapped for more dynamic on stage transitions.

Choreographer Robert North keeps movement child friendly with clear, cleverly directed choreography. Dance lovers are rewarded with a charming pas de deux from the Snowman and Ice Princess, Jack Frost’s virtuoso solo, and a lively pas de trois. That said the opening scenes feel a bit stilted with long passages of walking, miming and costume changing, lacking the vitality of the stronger second half.

Musically, Howard Blake’s score retains all the beloved elements of the original while enriching this adaptation with thoughtful extras. Familiar themes mesh seamlessly with new compositions, offering nostalgia for long time fans and freshness for newcomers. The iconic ‘Walking in the Air’ features additional harmonies, transforming it from a solo moment into an elevated expression of Snowman and Boy’s shared adventure.

Ruari Murchison’s design faithfully evokes the book and film with clever set, while Tim Mitchell’s lighting adds magic with inventive storytelling touches. Richard Brooker and Chris Campbell’s sound design impresses with realistic effects and balanced mixing. Most memorable are the flying effects by Flying by Foy, sending the Snowman and Boy soaring in perfect sync with the score.

A strong ensemble delivers cohesive, well drawn performances across multiple roles, though smaller moments – like the parade of fridge fruit – lack a little polish. Despite a hidden face, the Snowman communicates remarkable emotion in their extended lines and physicality, though their dancing only truly emerges in Act 2. The Boy captures naïve excitement with confident stage presence, expressive detail and musicality. The Ice Princess brings grace and precision to both serious and comic choreography, while Santa injects colour and joy with energetic, angular movement. Jack Frost, meanwhile, delivers virtuosic leaps and turns, embodying menace with flair.

A flurry of festive fun, ‘The Snowman’ is a seasonal delight that will see families gasping with wonder. Imperfections aside, it remains a charming staple of seasonal celebration.

CINDERELLA

Hackney Empire

★★★★

“Sumptuous, hilarious, sparkling and completely over the top”

CINDERELLA

Hackney Empire

Reviewed on 4th December 2025

by Louise Sibley

Photography by Mark Senior

Previously reviewed at this venue:

Cinderella

Cinderella

Cinderella

THE SNOWMAN

Peacock Theatre

★★★★

“a seasonal delight that will see families gasping with wonder”

THE SNOWMAN

Peacock Theatre

Reviewed on 22nd November 2025

by Hannah Bothelton

Photography by Tristram Kenton

Recently reviewed at Sadler’s Wells’ venues:

THE SNOWMAN

THE SNOWMAN

THE SNOWMAN

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