Make your way to the Old Rep Theatre for a truly unique, and unmistakably Brummie pantomime, courtesy of The BOA Group. Featuring a few familiar faces, a dazzling set and costumes, and a beloved fairy tale - with a twist - Cinderella has everything you need to get you in a festive mood.

Directed by Birmingham powerhouse, Lorna Laidlaw, with musical direction and choreography from Cici Howells, the production includes countless moments that are quintessentially ‘Cinderella’ - including a wicked stepmother, a handsome prince, and a pumpkin-based glow up - but the story is also shaken up to give you Cinders like you’ve never seen her before. 

Kind-hearted Cinderella (Jaiden Tsang) loves to dance, and when she meets a handsome stranger (Prince Charming in disguise, Stefan Davis) who shares her passion, the pair click instantly. Her stepsisters are selfie-obsessed big spenders Chloe (Sam Yetunde) and Kim (Victoria Tew), who both fill the stage with infectious energy - definitely leaning more towards comedy than cruelty, but under the thumb of the play’s real Baddie, Baroness Hardup, Cinderella’s stepmom, played by Julie Ann Baker. 

Julie is returning to the BOA company - after playing the lovable Scarecrow in last year’s The Wizard of Oz - she’s almost unrecognizable as the Morticia Addams-esque Baroness, and revelled in the ‘Boos’ she’s gained from her move to the dark side. 

Also returning in the professional company are Jaiden Tsang as Cinderella, and Jordan Laidley, as charismatic Dandini - best mate to Prince Charming. Henry Hart plays Cinders’ pal, Buttons, alongside an ensemble of performers from the BOA stage school, who are proudly cutting their teeth in a high callibre Christmas show.

Rounding out the cast, and instantly getting the audience immersed in the show, is Therese Collins as the fabulous Fairy Godmother - her effortless charm, silliness and Brummie brogue make her the perfect fit when it comes to waving a wand.

This panto is uniquely customized for both its company, and the audience that they perform to - as finely tailored as Cinderella’s magical ballgown, and the other costumes, by Jewellery Quarter-based designer Leanne Fitchett. The sizable stage is filled with an impressive animated backdrop, with slick set and AV design by Ebrahim Nazir that enhances the production and adds to the magic.

Cinderella is a story that’s been told countless times, but not like this. From the cast, company and crew, to the witty script (developed by the city's laughter-merchant Janice Connolly) and the show’s final sing-along, BOA’s Cinderella is proudly Made in Birmingham.

Four Stars

Cinderella was reviewed on Saturday 29 November by Jessica Clixby at The Old Rep Theatre, where it shows until Wednesday 31 December