By far the most popular character in Pantoland this season, Cinderella is this year’s Platform festive show.
Most this year have opted for a new take on the familiar tale and writer Lewis Hetherington is no exception.
Cinderella is still stuck in the stinky cellar doing chores for her step-mother who, instead of marrying Cinders father, has instead rescued her from the orphanage. While the mean step-mother is still a passive-aggressive iron fist in a velvet glove, the step-sisters (as is now becoming the norm) have rather more redemptive qualities.
Instead of a grand royal ball it’s a “glitter ball” that the Prince (singing Prince songs!) stages with a singing competition at its heart – a grand karaoke fest, the winner bagging the glass slipper trophy.
Step sisters Champagne and Bucks Fizz are eye-poppingly clad, one in neon ruffles, one in a classic shell suit. The “furry” godmother is a scooter riding Alan the Rat. A raft of dance-floor fillers litter the production including: I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Dancing Queen, I’m Every Woman and Kiss.
This is a fast-paced, joyous endeavour that captures and keeps the kids attention for the entirety of its economical one hour running time. Rightfully a sell out every year. In Cinderella, Platform has another winner on its hands.