Cinderella (Bath Theatre Royal)

This year’s festive offering of Cinderella is certainly full of the necessary fun and frolics that is expected from a great family pantomime. Without question there is a new slant to proceedings which does no harm at all; but most importantly the Theatre Royal has ensured that this has not become an overly commercial affair and sensibly hands the reins of this sparkling production to Jon Monie as Buttons and the extraordinary pairing of David Ball and Byron Mondahl as the Ugly Sisters and collectively they triumph.

Dani Harmer in the title role holds her own alongside Owen Thompson as Prince Charming and a rather frenetic Bobby Windebank as sidekick Dandini. The sets and costumes are good and the appearance of the carriage and ponies a crowd pleasing treat.

It is the comedians who rule this show, Monie is an affectionate Buttons, showing what a great training he has had under the wing of the much missed late Chris Harris and surely not long before we see him step into Dame shoes himself. A natural talent with great charm working the audience and children beautifully, his comic timing excelling during "Not Alone" Credit also to the Ugly Sisters as it is hard to know whether to boo or cheer their increasingly outrageous costumes and perfectly pitched innuendo.

The Theatre Royal has a good show here; at times the pace lapses a little and the huge amount of songs and reprises come along like buses. Alongside this is a rather curious hunting dance section which seemed excess to requirement. The 2hr 30min running time could be curtailed for a slicker production. That said, the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing provide great support to proceeding. The small technical issues surrounding company sound balance and the inconsistent singing to backing tracks will no doubt be levelled throughout subsequent performances.

The large audience and my two young guests certainly let the company know that they were having a good night out and I cannot disagree with any of them.