⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Laughter, magic, and plenty of family fun”.
We popped along to Tamworth Assembly Hall to see the Tamworth Pantomime Company with their latest production of Cinderella, running from 4th to 19th January 2025.
It is brilliant, and I am so chuffed that we headed along to watch the show. It delivers all the charm, comedy, and interactiveness that you expect from a pantomime – and a bit more!
In this production the story of Cinderella has a slight difference to what we are used to. Her dad, Baron Hardup is very much alive and is married to Cinderella’s evil stepmother before announcing a divorce!
The heartwarming friendship between Cinderella and the ever-cheerful Buttons keeps the audience rooting for them throughout. Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters, as over-the-top as they are ugly, bring waves of laughter and provide the perfect villains for plenty of well-timed boos and hisses. I have to admit, I was quite a fan of them.
The Tamworth Pantomime Company delivered exceptional performances. Cinderella, played with grace and warmth, is every inch the fairy-tale heroine, while Buttons steals the show with his cheeky humour with some biting one-liners providing some of the evening’s biggest laughs. The ugly sisters are delightfully grotesque, with exaggerated costumes and plenty of giggles. Prince Charming is dashing and sincere, making the budding romance believable and endearing. And there’s a really magical moment with the staging that I don’t want to spoil, but I know it will have cost the company a lot of money to do and made it a top-tier pantomime.
Of course, no pantomime is complete without music, and Cinderella delivers in abundance. Catchy, toe-tapping numbers with classic pop hits that have been adapted to the show with hilarious lyrics. Some had the whole audience singing along, and at points, there were dance moves, too! The cast’s enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and the choreography was slick and full of fun.
What truly made this production stand out for us, however, was its ability to engage the audience. The interactive elements, Buttons’ banter with the crowd “hiya gang”, “hiya Buttons”, and then “hiya (insert audience members name)” to dancing with the audience and responding to audience shout-outs, it was all completed with skill and warmth. It’s clear that the cast genuinely enjoy performing, and their joy spills over into the audience, creating an atmosphere of community and celebration.
Whether you’re a seasoned panto-goer or experiencing the magic for the first time, Cinderella at Tamworth Assembly Hall is not to be missed. With its perfect blend of comedy, magic, and heartfelt moments, this pantomime is a fabulous treat for all ages and is priced so the whole family can enjoy the treat for the price of what some theatres charge for a single ticket.
The Tamworth Pantomime Company proved to us why they are a local treasure, delivering a show that’s guaranteed to leave you smiling long after it’s finished.
We loved it and can’t wait for next years production.
If you would like to book tickets, they have a few available here: https://www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk/bookings/webevent/Cinderella25
If you would like to see our experience of the show, you can watch our reel on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/smallhousebigtrips