A Very, Very Bad Cinderella –

If you’re a musicals aficionado, prepare for a delightful treat with this show. Set in the intimate Studio of The Other Palace, it seems tailor-made for enthusiasts like yourself.

Despite initially appearing as a four-person cast, the surprise uncredited appearance of Oscar Conlon-Morrey, albeit through video, added a delightful touch to this already comedic evening.

Deviating from the Lloyd-Webber version as the title might suggest, this show delves into the classic Cinderella tale. The narrative begins with the two stepsisters promising to share their perspective, followed by a flashback to the familiar story. While I anticipated more twists due to this introduction, the brilliance of the show’s writing, credited to Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst, quickly overshadowed any expectations. The genius lies in the twists, with a majority of the jokes geared toward musical theatre enthusiasts, featuring references to various shows, renowned performers, a certain leading man and his tap dancing, and even a nod to a reviewer (unfortunately, not this one; you can find my socials at @ValentinedSides for future reference!).

A standout moment occurred when Imelda Warren-Green, in her role as one of the sisters, narrated a story almost exclusively through musical show titles. For those not deeply immersed in this world, visual aids were provided, though even I didn’t know some of the referenced shows.

True to the pantomime tradition, popular songs were rewritten to aid the narrative, however we get this with musical theatre numbers from Hamilton, Six, Jamie, Guys & Dolls, and & Juliet taking to the stage.

In the role of Buttons, the prince, and various other characters, Keanna Bloomfield delivered a great performance. Unlike conventional pantomimes where audience participation is a given, this one left spectators uncertain. I would recommend attending with a group of friends, perhaps visiting one of the two bars at the theatre beforehand.

The first act concluded with a brilliantly tacky musical-style dance routine performed by the cast, an experience that truly must be witnessed to be fully appreciated.

This show was reviewed on the 6th December 2023.  A Very Very Bad Cinderella runs at The Other Palace until the 7th January 2024.  Tickets available here: A Very Very Bad Cinderella – The Other Palace Theatre

*** stars

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Photo credit: Danny Kaan

Review – A Very, Very Bad Cinderella – The Other Palace, London – Box Office Radio