7 reasons to see Cinderella at the Theatre Royal St Helens

There’s nothing like a panto to signal the start of Christmas, especially when it’s a classic like Cinderella.

And while our rags to riches princess gets to go to the ball at the Theatre Royal St Helens this year – it’s the audience who HAS a ball!

There’s silliness, there’s song, and lots of laughs in Cinderella, and if you need any more reasons to enjoy such panto perfection, here’s 7:

1. It’s got a cracker of a cast!

And it’s led by Kimberley Hart-Simpson who’s swapped the Corrie cobbles, where she was Daniel’s former love interest Nicky Wheatley, for Hardup Hall to become Cinders. Kimberley is joined by the best Buttons ever, local actor and theatre school owner Lewis Devine, who’s like a young Lee Evans, with more energy than a freshly-charged battery and guaranteed to get you giggling; and, fresh from a stint as Eddie in Blood Brothers, Joe Sleight, who’s a very Charming Prince.

2. There ain’t nothing like a dame

Ugly Sisters Trussiana Hardup and Borisina Hardup are played by Kristopher Bosch and Richard Aucott and they’re drag dynamite, brilliantly OTT, with the most amazing and ridiculous costumes from glittering chandeliers to Aldi and Lidl bags. ‘Aren’t we gorgeous they ask?’ No, but you’re great!

3. Get your golden buzzers out because Britain – and St Helens – has got Talent

There’s not one but two stars from telly’s top talent show. BGT piano man Jon Courtenay – the first ever Golden Buzzer act to win the show in 2020 – is a fabulously comic Dandini, and last year’s runner-up Jamie Leahey appears as himself and a postman in many – though not all – performances.

4. There are more sequins than Strictly

There’s been no expense spared with the costumes at the Theatre Royal from the colourful comedy collections worn by the Ugly Sisters to the sparkly and super-shiny ones worn by the beautifully choreographed dancers and the stars of the show.  The transformation scene when Cinders gets to go to the ball is spectacular – and a little bit emotional – and it sets the scene for more magic.

5. Fabulous effects

From fireworks and fireballs, to confetti and snow, the effects are fantastic, so when you’re not belly-laughing or smiling from ear to ear, you’ll be open-mouthed in awe.

6. They’ve mastered the music

From old favourites like Dean Martin classics – How D’Ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning – and The Drifters’ Kissing in the Back Row of the Movies, to Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill and bang-up-to-date Meghan Trainor’s Made You Look … just try not to sing along.

7. It’s comedy gold

There are topical gags to silly song routines – 12 Days of Christmas with 5 toilet rolls and a bra That Was made to fit three, etc., – and that all-important audience participation. It’ll give those laughter muscles the best workout for weeks.