Get ready to have a ball: Norwich Theatre’s 2025 panto is a fizzing cocktail of fun, colour, and groan-some dad jokes. In other words, perfect.
Bold, brash, and suitably silly it is a two-hour romp that transfers the traditional Cinderella story to a fictional Norfolk coastal town. Cinders is trapped in a decrepit B&B with her mean sisters, but a chance meeting with a prince and some intervention from a fairy godmother sets her out on the path to romance.
Soap star and Strictly runner-up Georgia May Foote is our heroine, bringing infectious enthusiasm and a winning smile, with EastEnders and Our Girl’s Danny Hatchard her romantic interest.
As ever in panto though, most fun is had with the supposedly minor characters. Panto writer Joe Tracini is Buttons, written through like seaside rock with jokes and unbounded energy; watch out for the bellringing scene for how far he will go for a punchline. Owen Evans revives his dame role from previous years, joined by Kenny Moore to form the Wicked Sisters, with drily delivered Norfolk humour and traditional slapstick, all wrapped up in outrageous outfits.
Jeevan Braich as Dandini and Hannah-Jane Fox as the Fairy Godmother round out the main cast. Braich brings the best vocal performances and a presence that should have made him Prince, and Fox sprinkles magic dust with daft failed rhymes and increasingly incredible disguises – plus she flies!
Also on stage is a remarkable wardrobe courtesy of costume designer Kirsteen Wythe and impressive sets from Lowestoft’s Scenic Projects. You know the carriage reveal is coming, but it still commands a little gasp, with the fairground nods a delightful touch. The scale and slickness of the production, whipped up especially for this show, is something that needs to be seen.
According to the quiz in the panto programme my dame name is Nurse Dottie. Well, this is delicious festive medicine to brighten up the darkest winter day – I say bring on another dose!
- Cinderella continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until 4 January 2026, tickets £10-£42.50.
