A CHEEKY TWIST ON A CLASSIC, FULL OF QUIRKY CHARM

By Emma Carney | Bunny Pudding · Digital Coven · @bunnyscopes ⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

Cinderella – Adults Only at the King’s Head Theatre delivers a fun, risqué twist on the beloved pantomime, blending cheeky humour, fabulous talent, and creative puppetry into a night of festive entertainment. While it doesn’t quite lean into the “Queer” or “Drag” themes as heavily as I was personally expecting, the production is undeniably spirited, with plenty to enjoy for those seeking a light-hearted night out.

The cast is a highlight, bringing energy and flair to the performance. Danielle Steers, as the guest star for the night, was truly a standout, captivating the audience with her powerhouse vocals that filled the room. The talented  Maddy Erzan-Essien as Cinderella is charming and relatable, while Ella Vaday and Harry Curley as the stepsisters, Peckham and Dalston, provide plenty of comedic moments with their outrageous antics.Truly fabulous Panto dames!  Prince Charming was indeed very, very charming and we got to see plenty of  Joseph Lukehurst’s charms (can I add another ‘charm’ into that sentence do you think…?) and he was certainly perfect for the role. Moving away from the ‘God mother’ and into more Aquatic territory with the Fairy Codmother title, Lucia Vinyard was a delight to watch and especially delightful to hear sing, such an amazing voice! Robert Rees played the traditional role of Buttons but with a cheeky twist. Another traditional panto character, Dandini, was performed by the fabulous Verity Kirk whose dual role had me in stitches, and I especially loved the ‘Female’ and hair slow-mo moments, hilarious. 

The inclusion of puppetry, courtesy of Little Angel Theatre, adds a whimsical touch that sets this show apart from more traditional pantomimes.

For me, the scene-stealer was Quackers the duck—a hilariously quirky puppet with a buck-toothed grin and a side ponytail. I couldn’t help but fall in love with her oddball charm, and she quickly became my unexpected favourite (Look, I am a weirdo, k?!). She injected an offbeat hilarity into the production that left a lasting impression…they also had a delightful story arc. 

The writing by Andrew Pollard is filled with clever wordplay and innuendos, and while the humour doesn’t push the boundaries too far it’s still in “adults-only” territory and there’s enough spice to keep it entertaining for grown-ups. However, those expecting a full-on drag or queer extravaganza might feel slightly let down, as the show is more of a traditional panto with an adult twist rather than an overtly boundary-pushing experience. 

The musical numbers are delightful, thanks to strong direction from Hollie Cassar and a talented cast, while the set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly bring a vibrant, playful aesthetic to the stage. 

Overall, Cinderella – Adults Only is a cheeky, enjoyable pantomime that charms with its creativity and talent, even if it doesn’t completely meet expectations for those seeking something edgier. A fun night out with plenty of laughs—and Quackers the duck is worth the ticket price alone!

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Photo Credit: Charlie Flint

CAST

Cinderella | Maddy Erzan-Essien
Peckham | Ella Vaday (Nick Collier)
Dalston | Harry Curley

Prince Charming | Joseph Lukehurst
Fairy Codmother | Lucia Vinyard
Buttons | Robert Rees
Dandini | Verity Kirk

STAR VOICE CAST

Dame Judi Dench | The Narrator
Miriam Margolyes | The Evil Stepmother
Su Pollard | The Swan

GUEST STARS

5th December – Cassidy Janson
10th December – Amy Ross
11th December – Vinegar Strokes
12th December – Danielle Steers SOLD OUT

19th December – John Owen-Jones SOLD OUT
23rd December – Helen Woolf
30th December – Trevor Ashley
5th January – Christina Bianco

PLUS! On the 10th and 23rd of December, join us for Cinderella Goes Wicked, with guest stars who have played Elphaba and Glinda in the West End!

CREATIVES

Producers | Elphin Productions, King’s Head Theatre & Little Angel Theatre
Writer/ Director | Andrew Pollard
Set and Costume Designer | Gregor Donnelly

Puppetry Designer | Oliver Hymans
Lighting Designer | Aaron J Dootson
Sound Designer | Ben Thomas

Musical Supervisor | Ben Barrow
Musical Director | Hollie Cassar
Movement Director | Emily Golding-Ellis

Production Manager | Dan Weager
Casting Director | Marc Frankum
General Management | New Frame Productions

Company Stage Manager | Abi Morris
Assistant Stage Manager | Amelia Costello
Marketing | Alistair Green & Katie Kirkpatrick for King’s Head Theatre

PR | ANR PR
Key Artwork Design | Feast Creative