Panto is back at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre with our regulars bringing us a new version of ‘Cinderella’, featuring all the magic and comedy you would expect during the festive period. You have till Tuesday 31st December 2025 to take a trip to Prince Charming’s ball.
Allan Stewart brings us his usual cheeky and hilarious antics as Faerie May. This year Allan spreads his wings (literally at some points) and barely gets a moment off stage. There’s a lot of jokes and routines we have seen before that have been re-worked or some have even stayed the same, however the audience still ruptures into hysterics throughout the performance. Allan is a staple during Christmas in Edinburgh, his Dame has become iconic, with audiences constantly coming back for more.
Grant Stott is back in drag as Baroness Hibernia Fortuna, this is another formidable villain from the king… I mean… queen of boos. Whilst the material he has is golden, you feel that Grant is underused this year, and there is more room for Hibernia’s villainy to be unleashed. Clare Gray as Vindicta Fortuna and Gail Watson as Manipulata Fortuna bring us two vicious evil sisters, yet they are also rarely on stage. The highlight of these three villains has to be their version of ‘It’s Raining Men’ which has been transformed into an ode to Fort Kinnaird.
Jordan Young is brilliant as Buttons, his farcical behaviour and bounds of energy make him appeal to audiences of all ages. His dynamic with Grant and Allan brings great comedic value. Jordan isn’t afraid to dive in the deep end and gets stuck into the more physical routines of this production.
Amber Sylvia Edwards’ Cinderella is a modern woman and has a bit more strength than previous incarnations. With delightful vocals that dazzle during her rendition of Queen’s ‘Somebody to love’, this is a well-rounded supporting role. Amber is accompanied by the dashing Will Callan who brings a kindhearted and princely version of Charming.
Iain Stewart Robertson also features as Baron Hardup, showing clear parental love to Cinderella and working as a device to give the hero of the story a warm family figure.
The ensemble of this production take on Karen Martin’s terrific choreography and bring us splendour, grandeur and a great amount of energy. The ensemble are as follows; Maya Duncan, Luke Heald, Dan Holland, Katy Kedslie, Amy Kent, Varrie McElwaine, Becky Pennant, Luke Perry, Robert Sharpe and Jack Webb.
Harry Michaels and Allan Stewart’s script for ‘Cinderella’, with additional material from Grant Stott and Matt Slack takes away a narrative focus and instead looks for the comedic potential. The jokes and sketches keep the pace and hilarity flowing, with the audience being included in some of the funniest moments of the show. That being said, some of the sketches and jokes feel a little too familiar, with there being potential for more new material in future years. Yet with Stewart, Stott and Young performing some of these routines as if they have never been done before, there is still a laugh for the fresh eyed audience member. Ed Curtis’ direction relies on the spectacle of the panto to bring something new, allowing the performers to rinse the humour whilst he turns up the dials with magical special effects from The Twins FX, Ian Westbrook’s colourful set design, Rory Beaton’s vibrant lighting design and Teresa Nalton’s exquisite costume design. Visually this production is stunning and certainly delivers the spectacle for audiences of all ages. Andy Pickering brings us some great tracks this year, with hilarious re-writes that stick in the audience’s heads as they head out of the theatre.
‘Cinderella’ is a joyous and hilarious pantomime, sidelining narrative for over two hours of comedy and spectacle.
Photography – Douglas Robertson
Get tickets here – https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/all-shows/panto-2024-cinderella/2282
Theatre Scotland 
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