The gang are back together in Lichfield - it’s panto season once more, and this year’s royally rollicking offering is Cinderella - will Cinders meet her man and best her wicked stepsisters? Oh yes she will!

Fan favourites Ben Thornton and Sam Rabone return to the stage, the former as Cinderella’s lovesick pal, Buttons, and the latter - you’re not seeing double - is one half of a dame double act with Matt Daines. They play our heroine’s stepsisters, Aldianna and Lidleena. Or Aldi and Lidl for short… All the ingredients are here for a big, warm Lichfield hug of a panto. 

Cinderella, played by Shannon Bourne, shows off some impressive vocal moments, and is often in duet with Prince Charming (Adam Craig), who lives up to his name - both of the romantic leads brought enough wit and charisma to the stage to counterbalance the more lovey-dovey moments. In the capable hands of production company Evolution, the whole play sparkles with festive cheer.

Cinders and Charming meet and fall in love - although they’re not quite sure of each other’s identity - and with the help of Fairy Godmother-in-training, Fairy Twinklethistle (Clarice Julianda), Cinderella is supplied with a natty new fit and whisked away to the royal ball. As the clock strikes midnight, she has to leave, and all the Prince has left to identify her is a single piece of fancy footwear…

Rounding out the main cast is Joe Feeney, who returns for a second year - albeit on the side of good this time - to play the Prince’s trusty sidekick, Dandini. In all, the company were on fine form, and eager to lap up their cheers and boos accordingly - the Garrick audience were putty in their hands.

It’s no surprise - Ben Thornton offers up his usual mixture of groanworthy gags and had the kids on-side before he’d even said ‘6-7’. Don’t fret, there are also jokes that land if you’re older than 14… Sam Rabone shared his hometown limelight with Matt Daines - who was Sam’s first ever ‘sister’, back in 2013. Each was generous with the other’s laughs, and performed as the perfect pair from the second they revved onto the stage, in a motorcycle and sidecar, no less. 

If you’re after a dyed-in-the-wool panto with a heart of gold, look no further than the Lichfield Garrick - boasting new gags and classic routines, all delivered with a wink and a grin from the panto pros on stage.

You shall go to the ball - and you won’t regret it