Cinderella

Crigglestone Community Theatre Company – Cinderella
Crigglestone Working Men’s Club

Crigglestone Community Theatre Company returned this season with a lively, laughter-packed production of Cinderella, delighting a well-attended audience of excitable children and panto-loving adults. From the opening moments, the room buzzed with the warmth and familiarity of classic pantomime, paired with the company’s trademark community spirit.

In the title role, Katie Binns delivered exactly what audiences have come to expect from her: a polished, energetic and engaging performance. Often more familiar to audiences as the company’s choreographer, she showcased her strong singing and dancing ability throughout, particularly in the vibrant opening number “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

Of course, no Cinderella panto would be complete without her best friend and confidant, Buttons. Played by Chris Littler Moore confidently and with obvious enjoyment, he brought his trademark charm and comedic warmth to the role. The more of the village-idiot-style characters he plays, the more natural and at ease he appears on stage—clearly someone honing his craft with every production.

The Fairy Godmother, played by Niki Carter, was every young girl’s fairytale dream—radiant in costume, confident in presence, and speaking with a voice as calm as a soft breeze settling over a summer lake. She was beautifully balanced by Emma Hill as her “Fairy in Training,” a delightfully gothic, broad-Yorkshire counterpart whose comedic chaos brought a fresh twist to the familiar tale. Together, the pair charmed the audience while still managing to get Cinderella to the ball… eventually!

A traditional pantomime is never complete without its principal boy, and Kim Longbottom’s Prince Charming was both powerful and charismatic. Audiences rooted for her from the moment she stepped on stage—though also laughed heartily at her attempts to escape the amorous attentions of the Ugly Sisters. Her sidekick Dandini, played by Sophie Barnett, continues to grow with every role she takes on, delivering sharp comic timing and wonderfully expressive reactions.

One of the evening’s most enjoyable additions was the comedy trio: Who (Dottie Turner), What (Emma Jeffreys), and I Don’t Know (Keith Squires). Their slapstick physical humour and chaotic handyman antics offered big laughs and gave the show a fun, original twist in place of the usual comedy duo.

Nick Harvey Wade and Fiona Welburn, doubling as Cinderella’s father and stepmother as well as the King and Queen, cleverly distinguished their characters through well-executed changes in accent, posture and physicality.

The biggest standout performances of the night, however, were the Ugly Sisters—Brunfelsia (Dan Senior) and Hortensia (Graeme Hemingway). Their classic dame humour, sharp improvisation and joyful interactions with the audience had the room roaring. Even the moments when lines went missing only added to the panto magic—handled with quick wit and perfect comic recovery.

The ensemble brought energy, colour and vocal depth to the musical numbers, filling the stage effectively and supporting the principals with well-rehearsed choreography and confident singing.

While the script included some strong comedic moments, the production might have been enhanced further with more traditional panto elements—such as a ghost or wood scene, or a classic “It’s Behind You!” segment, both of which children in particular tend to anticipate.

Some principal vocals were occasionally pitchy, and sound issues affected clarity during certain scenes but did not deter from the enjoyment.

Congratulations to Lisa Kendall (Director), Alison Warren (Choreographer) and the entire production team for delivering a joyful, community-driven pantomime that kept the audience laughing from start to finish. Cinderella at Crigglestone was a heart-warming reminder of what local theatre does best—bringing people together for an evening of fun, sparkle, and shared celebration.

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