"Cinderella" Loughborough Town Hall"
"Cinderella"
Loughborough Town Hall
5 Stars
Another much loved pantomime has returned and this year the invitation is clear everyone’s heading to the ball. Cinderella tells the story of a kind hearted young woman living under the control of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. With her dreams of attending the royal ball and finding true love, she must rely on her loyal friend Buttons and a little magic from her Fairy Godmother to overcome obstacles and reach her happily ever after before midnight strikes.
Produced by Little Wolf Entertainment, this production is full of energy, comedy and charm. Written, designed and directed by brillantly Morgan Brind, the show has a fresh edge while staying true to the Cinderella story audiences love. There are plenty of jokes, clever interactions and a few unexpected twists that keep everyone on their toes.
Davina Manuel-Mokwenye as the Fairy Godmother is a dazzling presence on stage. She radiates warmth and charm and every entrance feels magical. Her commanding voice carries effortlessly across the hall whether delivering dialogue interacting with Ella, or leading a musical number. One standout moment is her performance of “One Night Only”, where her vocals soar with strength and emotion, immediately capturing the audience’s attention.
Beyond her singing she brings elegance and poise to her gestures and movements, perfectly embodying the wisdom, humour and benevolence that audiences expect from a Fairy Godmother. Her playful interactions with Buttons, Ella and even the audience create a magical link between the story and theatre-goers, ensuring she is both a guiding and unforgettable presence throughout the show.
Beyond her singing she brings elegance and poise to her gestures and movements, perfectly embodying the wisdom, humour and benevolence that audiences expect from a Fairy Godmother. Her playful interactions with Buttons, Ella and even the audience create a magical link between the story and theatre-goers, ensuring she is both a guiding and unforgettable presence throughout the show.
Emma Robertson shines as beautiful Ella returning this year as the award-winning Best Newcomer. She gives a performance full of sincerity, charm and heart. From the moment she steps on stage you are rooting for her. She captures Ella’s resilience, kindness and determination beautifully making the audience care deeply about her journey. Her singing is polished and expressive and she has excellent timing in the transformation scenes the appearance of her ball gown is flawless, beautifully genuine awe. Emma Interaction with the other characters particularly Buttons and Prince Charming adds depth and warmth to the story making her more than just a traditional panto heroine she is the emotional centre of the show.
Buttons charm lies in his reliability and enthusiasm, making him a consistently entertaining presence throughout the show. His connection with the audience is immediate and genuine drawing both children and adults into the story with ease. Whether delivering quick-fire jokes, engaging in playful audience interaction or supporting emotional moments of the story. Buttons remains a constant source of warmth, humour and heart firmly establishing him as one of the production's most endearing characters.
His musical performances are expressive and heartfelt particularly during the ball scenes making the romance feel genuine and adding an extra layer of theatrical elegance to the production.
Ash Weir takes on two roles Dandini and Mozzarella’s Assistant. As Dandini he brings confidence, playful mischief and humour making the role fun to watch. His duets with Prince Charming are lively and entertaining adding the charm to the romantic plot while he interactions with Ella bring warmth and sparkle. As Mozzarella’s Assistant Ash supports the comedy seamlessly reacting perfectly to the antics of the other characters. His expressive gestures, timing and adaptability make him a standout performer showing skill in both comedic and romantic roles while keeping the audience thoroughly engaged.
Mozzarella the Mouse played by himself is an absolute scene stealer. Full of cheeky humour and boundless energy. Mozzarella has a knack for engaging the audience with his witty one-liners cheese-based puns and perfectly timed antics. He effortlessly bridges the gap between the children and adult audience members making sure everyone is laughing along. His physical comedy, expressive gestures and playful timing are exemplary he even manages to be mischievous without ever overshadowing the story a true master of pantomime fun.
Morgan Brind set and costume designs are bold, theatrical and filled with personality. From Ella’s sparkling ball gowns to the outrageous Ugly Sisters’ costumes and wigs, every detail adds flair. One of the most magical moments is the horse and carriage, which begins glowing on stage before transforming into a real horse and carriage a breathtaking effect that had the audience cheering.
Matthew Siveter and Luke Adamson play the Ugly Sisters with gloriously over-the-top humour and infectious energy. From the moment they appear they dominate the stage with outrageous costumes, exaggerated gestures and comic timing that never falters. Their antics constantly keep the audience guessing whether it’s bossing Buttons around competing for attention or attempting to impress their wicked mother every scene is packed with laughs.
One particularly clever moment seeing them select a man from the audience asking who he fancies. After his delightfully unhelpful reply of “I don’t know,” the audiences were invited to vote during the interval in the foyer, with the final result revealed live on stage for the first time ever it was a draw! A wonderfully interactive hilarious twist that had everyone cheering. Their chemistry with each other and the cast combined with their physical comedy ensures that the Ugly Sisters are a highlight of the production delivering riotous laughter from start to finish.
Shona Eaton brings a perfect mix of comedy to the role of Helen Bacquagaine, the wicked stepmother. Every stride and gesture exudes authority instantly establishing her as the controlling figure of the household. Yet she is equally adept at delivering comic timing, allowing her to create laugh-out-loud moments without diluting her character’s threat.
Whether plotting against Ella, scolding the Ugly Sisters, or interacting with Buttons, Shona’s performance keeps the audience on their toes never sure whether to boo or laugh at her antics. She balances intimidation and humour with ease, making Helen both formidable and entertaining.
Elliott Evans is a perfectly charming and vocally strong Prince Charming. He exudes warmth and sincerity creating a believable fairytale romance with Ella that carries the story beautifully. His stage presence is effortless and he balances the romantic moments with a natural sense of humour engaging both the characters on stage and the audience. Whether leading duets interacting with Ella or joining in the comedic sequences Elliott maintains charisma and timing that keep the role captivating throughout.
His musical performances are expressive and heartfelt particularly during the ball scenes making the romance feel genuine and adding an extra layer of theatrical elegance to the production.
Mozzarella the Mouse played by himself is an absolute scene stealer. Full of cheeky humour and boundless energy. Mozzarella has a knack for engaging the audience with his witty one-liners cheese-based puns and perfectly timed antics. He effortlessly bridges the gap between the children and adult audience members making sure everyone is laughing along. His physical comedy, expressive gestures and playful timing are exemplary he even manages to be mischievous without ever overshadowing the story a true master of pantomime fun.
Team Springs: Molly, Ruby, Erin, Poppy, Gabriela, Autumn, Ezmay and Mila. Brought the sparkle, energy and enthusiasm to the production adding extra joy and life to every scene. Their dancing and singing are precise and full of character helping to make the world of Cinderella feel lively and magical.
Choreography by Jordanna Simpson is lively, playful and clearly designed to show off the performers’ joy and energy. The routines are precise yet fun and the big numbers including a dazzling second-act performance to Sophie Ellis-Bextor “Murder On The Dance Floor” are executed with flair and enthusiasm. The young performers smiles and energy add an extra layer of enjoyment to every number.
Musical Director by Dave Culling ensures the sound is polished and balanced, with the modern, pop-heavy selection of songs supporting both comedic and heartfelt moments. Duets, solos and ensemble numbers are clear, energetic, and engaging.
Lighting Design by Rob Bridges highlights the magical, comic and dramatic moments with precision, creating atmosphere depth and forces on key moments of the story.
Sound design by David Cooper generally fills Loughborough Town Hall well. However, from my seat, the sound could have been a little louder to ensure every word and note was clearly heard. Other than that, the balance between voices and instruments was very well managed.
Cinderella is a non-stop, high-energy pantomime filled with laughter, magic, and heart.
Morgan Brind, Little Wolf Entertainment and the talented cast and creative team have produced a vibrant and joyous production that delivers everything audiences hope for: comedy, spectacle, music and charm.
Don't be late to this show or you will miss out an invitation to the ball.
Cinderella runs at Loughborough Town Hall until 4th January 2026.
Running times:
Act 1: 75 minutes
Interval: 20 minutes
Act 2: 70 minutes
Review Written by Owen Brindley
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