Cinderella - Lichfield Garrick Review

Review by Beth

Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review

It’s panto season… oh yes it is; my absolute favourite time of the year. Pantomime is an absolute British institution and a tradition held so near and dear to the hearts of many, myself included.

Photo by Pamela Raith

This year, Lichfield Garrick’s Cinderella is the perfect offering for family festivities for the young and young at heart! Button up for a night of hilarity and heart-warming joy once again that the Garrick annual panto never fails to deliver.

As with all Panto, the story presented is one with familiarity and heart. Our story begins when we meet Fairy Twinklethistle, a trainee fairy godmother desperate to earn her wand. Her mission is simple; make Cinderella and the prince fall in love with each other for who they are, not what they are. Of course, the course of true love never did run smooth and when Cinderella meets her step-
sisters, Aldianna and Lidleena, it becomes clear that this will not be as simple a task as she’d hoped. Cinderella is supported though by wonderful best friend Buttons, who never fails to put a smile back on her face. The rest of the story you know all too well; a magic spell, a sparkling slipper and a quest to find the belle of the ball!

The Lichfield Garrick panto has been a part of my Christmas for a few years now, but this year feels even bigger and better than ever before! Returning once again are the incomparable Sam Rabone (Aldianna) and Ben Thornton (Buttons) who are a simply dynamic duo. The snappy one liners these pair deliver are relentless in the best way possible and both performers know exactly how to command an audience. Thornton’s Buttons is sweet and endearing as well as providing a direct link to the audience with many moments of audience interaction. 

Matt Daines and Sam Rabone. Photo by Pamela Raith

Joining Rabone in the role of step sister this year is Matt Daines; a perfect compliment to Rabone, the pair have wonderful chemistry, perform in sync at all times and bounce off each other wonderfully. A moment must be
taken here for the COSTUMES of this duo- there seems to be costume changes at every possible moment with the concepts getting louder and more extravagant at every turn. The audience never knows what is next to come but they know one thing, it will be sure to be absolutely hilarious.

Expect many returning favourite Lichfield moments including the Ghostbusters ghost hunt and wheelbarrow of puns! It wouldn’t be a Garrick panto without them!

Also returning to the Lichfield stage this year is Joe Feeney, this year in a very different role to his villain of 2024 as Dandini. It is lovely to see a different side to Feeney’s acting this year; his back and forth with Adam Craig as Prince Charming is quick and a joy. I particularly loved their attempts to ‘teach’ each other how to speak with different accents, once again inviting the audience to participate.

All performances in this show were strong and included wonderful vocals, some fun ‘over acting’ and all the camp fun you would expect from a pantomime. Clarice Julianda is an engaging Fairy Godmother in training providing some stellar vocals, and of course our leading lady Shannon Bourne is a sweet and yet feisty Cinders, instantly likeable to the audience.

This panto has absolutely everything that a pantomime lover would expect, whilst also sending up many of its traditions. It is self aware which makes it all the more funny. It also strikes a wonderful balance providing humour and moments for audience members of every age. 

The musical choices including K Pop Demon Hunters’ Golden and many references to modern pop culture
(yes, 6 7 is mentioned!) are balanced with some more old-school musical selections and double entendres which suit the grown ups of the audience. Expect buckets of audience participation, glittering backdrops and opportunities for every panto ‘shout out’ moment that your heart desires.

Shannon Bourne (centre) and the company. Photo by Pamela Raith

I also have to shout out one staging moment at the end of Act One that feels particularly special and impressive for a small, local theatre! I’ll leave you to discover it for yourselves.

If you are after a pantomime to celebrate this Christmas season with family and friends, Lichfield Garrick’s is the perfect offering. Tickets are available from https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com. You
simply must go to the ball this festive season!

Cinderella runs at Lichfield Garrick until Sunday 11th January 2026.