Cinderella - Rose Theatre Kingston Review

Review by Chloe A
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review

This twist on the classic Cinderella story delivers an imaginative and family-friendly theatre experience. The show establishes a vibrant world where even the trees in the backdrop become part of the storytelling—lighting up in different colours to reflect the action and emotion of each scene.

Maddy Hunter and Rose Youth Company (Green Team). Photo by Mark Douet

The reinterpretation of the characters is clever and refreshing: the stepmother isn’t evil, and the stepsisters are reimagined as adorable babies. Instead, the story takes a bold turn when a fairy whisks Cinderella into another world, creating opportunities for multi-role performances as characters shift depending on the world Cinderella’s in.

The set is simple—built around a four-sided house structure with a different backdrop on each face to simply where the characters were at each point. The magical moments are executed in genuinely clever ways, making the effects feel both surprising and delightful without drawing away from the plot of the show.

One of the most charming aspects is the involvement of the youth company at Rose Theatre bringing humour and laughter to the show. Although the show has plenty of humour, it leans more toward a play than a traditional panto, offering heart and originality rather than the over-the-top typical humour and audience participation. The original songs are a standout feature, enhancing the atmosphere with impressive quality and memorable melodies.

(l-r) Hannah Akhalu, Kara Lily Hayworth, Simon Yadoo and Corrina Bucchan. Photo by Mark Douet

Overall, this production is funny, inventive, and warmly suited for a family outing—an imaginative retelling that brings something new to a beloved story.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cinderella runs at Rose Theatre in Kingston until Sunday 4th January 2026. Tickets are available from https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/cinderella-14tr