Cinderella at Norwich Theatre swaps snowy fir trees for salt air and sand—an inspired seaside twist that gives the story a bright, Norfolk-kissed personality.
The show plants us in “Crabbington Sands,” a make-believe resort where pastel colours, postcard gags and wink-wink jokes roll in like gentle waves.
It’s still the classic rags-to-riches tale—pumpkin, ball, midnight and slipper—but the local flavour makes it feel like a holiday you don’t want to end.
Families get the spectacle they came for; grown-ups get a steady stream of cheeky asides; everyone leaves humming.
Photo Credit : @RichardJarmy
Cast that clicks—and a script that keeps the tide high
The script, by Joe Tracini, fizzes with panto traditions (bad jokes delivered brilliantly, call-and-response that actually earns the noise) and clever contemporary spins.
Tracini doubles up as Buttons, and that casting proves a masterstroke: his comic timing, ad-lib instincts and rapport with the audience give the show its heartbeat.
Georgia May Foote’s Cinderella is warm and open—especially with younger theatregoers—while Danny Hatchard plays a swaggering Prince with a pop-idol glint in his eye.
The supporting bench is deep: Owen Evans and Kenny Moore tear the roof off as the gruesome sisters, their beach-themed looks as outrageous as their insults, and Jeevan Braich’s Dandini adds sleek vocals and charm.
A delightfully off-script Fairy Godmother (Hannah-Jane Fox) sprinkles the chaos with twinkle and mischief.
Photo Credit : @RichardJarmy
Design you can almost feel between your toes
Visually, the production leans all-in on the coast. Think lurid bucket-and-spade couture, fairground-ride frocks, and wigs you could tangle a fishing net in—Kirsteen Wythe’s costumes are an ongoing punchline.
Aimee Leigh’s choreography keeps the ensemble breezing through numbers with festival-day energy, building set-pieces that feel as sun-soaked as the palette.
It’s a candyfloss world where the joke count is high and the colours higher, but there’s craft under every glittering layer.
Photo Credit : @RichardJarmy
Musical moments that land (and a few you’ll spot a mile off—in a good way)
The songbook cheekily borrows and retools bangers you’ll recognise. Early on, an “Unwritten” nod captures Cinders’ yearning for a life beyond hotel chores.
Later, a crowd-pleasing gag turns the slipper hunt into a big, communal earworm with “The Shoe Must Go On”—a joke that works because it’s played with total commitment.
Throughout, the musical team ensures little ears have something to bounce to while adults catch the references flying overhead.
Photo Credit : @RichardJarmy
Set-piece sparkle (yes, the transformation still makes you gasp)
Cinderella’s transformation scene lands with that essential panto whoosh: shimmer, spin, and a carriage reveal that ripples through the stalls.
It’s old-fashioned stage magic made fresh by the seaside setting; even when you think you know the beats, the production finds a way to gild them.
If the second half occasionally surfs a little too fast towards the finale, the show’s good will—and Buttons’ banter—keeps the tide of laughter up.
Photo Credit : @RichardJarmy
Why it works so well for families
The seaside frame helps kids track the story (everything is clear, bright and legible), while adults enjoy the local in-jokes and low-stakes sendups.
The comedy is never mean; even the sisters’ barbs are cartoonish, cushioned by designer silliness.
Crowd work is confident but kind, ensuring first-timers feel safe to shout “Oh no it isn’t!” without being put on the spot.
It’s precisely the kind of Christmas outing that gives shy children a chance to join in and gives weary parents two hours of communal joy.
This Cinderella is summery in December—cheeky, big-hearted and wonderfully local. It honours panto tradition (groaners, glitter and gleeful chaos) while giving Norwich a fresh setting that suits the city down to the ground.
If you want a night where children belly-laugh, grandparents grin, and parents genuinely relax, you’ll find it here. Book it for the sparkle, stay for Buttons, and leave with sand between your ears—in the best possible way
Practical bits and tips
- Running time: around two hours including an interval—perfect for younger audiences.
- Tone: unapologetically family-first with cheeky winks for adults; plenty of shout-backs and classic panto business.
- Best seats for kids: front stalls or front dress circle if you want maximum interaction without the full volume of the pit.
- Accessibility: Norwich Theatre Royal’s access provision is strong; check the schedule for relaxed, captioned or audio-described dates as they’re often built into the Christmas run.
- Merch & treats: the foyer buzzes pre-show and at the interval—arrive a touch early to avoid queues and soak up the seaside music cues.
- Dates: 6th December 2025 – 4th January 2026 at Norwich Theatre BOOK HERE