The Rose and Rose Youth Theatre's panto adaptation of Cinderella is running until 4 January 2026 at the Rose, and it is nothing short of spectacular. All the actors, particularly those in the main cast, presented acting skills you would expect to see in the West End.

Now, there are many versions of the classic fairytale, but this modern musical twist did an excellent job in exploring the positives and negatives of blended families and how home tensions can be overcome.

Adopting a modern twist on the classic tale, the Rose's Cinderella panto follows the life of young Ella (Maddy Hunter), who is struggling to adapt to living with her father Richard's (Simon Yadoo) new partner Lilith (Lily Hayworth) and their two baby daughters Serna and Greta.

The panto begins at the family's home, with a brilliant setting consisting of a kitchen and Ella's upstairs attic bedroom, with Lilith asking Ella to help prepare Lilith's Vegan Christmas meal (expect lots of vegan jokes throughout the play), and it is clear that Ella, who is missing her mum while she holidays with her new boyfriend, is struggling to come to terms with her new blended family.

The setting was very well put together (Credit: Tilly O'Brien)

Unlike the popular Disney version of the well-known tale, Ella is dressed in casual, modern attire consisting of a t-shirt, shorts, and a backwards cap, and has a mobile phone and TV in her room.

And, despite the obvious tensions between Ella and her stepmother, Lilith does not appear to be the "wicked" stepmother that Ella believes her to be.

Instead, Ella appears to be a moody teenager who is unhappy about helping Lilith prepare the roasted vegan pumpkin for the following day's Christmas meal.

Beginning with a song about the Christmas period from backing actors dressed as lantern bearers, it is already clear how talented the cast is as everyone has amazing singing voices.

Seeing the swing chorus take to the stage, I was surprised to see how young they were – that level of talent at that age is wonderful to see.

There are lots of young actors in the show (Credit: Mark Douet)

Hayworth, who has previously starred in big shows like Cilla the Musical, joined in, and her voice was so angelic, it was clear that this was not her first show.

Even from the first scene, the characters had the audience laughing out loud and again, I cannot praise Hunter and Hayworth enough on their acting skills; Hayworth adopted the best typical panto villain voice and Ella, who only graduated from college this year and is clearly young, shone throughout the performance as its leading star.

Lily Hayworth plays Lilith and Lady Dungeness (Credit: Mark Douet)

The first scene also highlights the modern play on the classic tale as Lilith asks Alexa for help, which had the audience laughing, relating to the concept.

Later in the scene, comes Hunter's first star moment as she performs her first solo of the show, belting out her spectacular singing voice.

Within this scene, it is also clear that Ella's homelife is not as bad as she makes out nor as bad as that of the titular character in the original tale, as Ella points out that her attic room has an ensuite.

Maddy Hunter plays Ella (Credit: Mark Douet)

This, I believe, is something producers Chris Bush and Roni Neale touch on perfectly, the idea that Ella's life is not actually that bad, it is just not the solid family home with both her birth parents involved that she wishes for.

The next character to appear on stage is Richard, and whilst his appearances on stage are minimal, his character and skills as an actor are certainly not forgettable.

Simon Yadoo plays Richard and Lord Richard (Credit: Mark Douet)

Soon, we are introduced to Ella's neighbour, Buttons, played by the wonderful Arthur Polidoro Williams, who I would say is no older than 14, who clearly has a crush on Ella – I don't want to give away any spoilers, but as the story unfolds, the audience is left wondering whether the pair will get together.

I was absolutely amazed at how confident Williams was, being so young, and he had the audience laughing with every appearance he made.

Arthur Polidoro Williams plays Buttons (Credit: Mark Douet)

However, three of my favourite characters were the fairies Sapphire (Maia O'Dwyer), Ruby (Lily Quille), and Cubic Zirconia (Ellie Searle), who are all part of the Rose Young Company.

Maia O'Dwyer, Lily Quille, and Ellie Searle play the three fairies (Credit: Mark Douet)

Again, I was amazed at how professional these young actors were and how well, particularly Quille, with her expert harmonies, could sing.

Among other brilliant actors were those playing the three mice, Bibbidi (Alice Lamb), Bobbidi (Mimi Forster), and Brian (Medha Vaidyan).

The trio frequently had the audience in fits of laughter with their obsession with cheese.

Alice Lamb, Mimi Forster, and Medha Vaidyan play the mice (Credit: Mark Douet)

However, I must say, the funniest among the Rose Young Company was Jack Ferne as the flamboyant black cat Mr Bingles, who expertly played the typical fame-hungry, funny friend that everyone wants.

Halfway through the first Act, we are finally introduced to Prince Chadley, who is played by the incredible Joaquin Pedro Valdes (an experience actor has featured in various stage productions) and his hilariously oblivious sidekicks Prince Bradley of Croydon (Dylan Corchete-Quan) and Prince Radley of Brixton (Louie McKillop) who continue the modern trend by using colloquial phrases like "sick bro".

Jack Ferne was excellent as Mr Bingles (Credit: Mark Douet)

It is here that the play cleverly squeezes Kingston into the plot as the traditional ball from the original story turns into Chadley's party in King's Town.

Continuing the local plot, we are also introduced to the true villains of the show, played by Hayworth and Yadoo, Lady Dungeness and Lord Richard of Richmo[u]nd.

Dylan Corchette-Quan, Joaquin Pedro Valdes, and Louie McKillop played the three princes (Credit: Mark Douet)

While all the cast are absolutely brilliant, I must say Corrina Buchan and Hannah Akhalu, who played the traditional ugly stepsisters Snotterella and Grottella, perhaps stole the show.

Their take on the traditional glass slipper plot was hilariously funny, and Buchan, in her panto Dame-like attire and makeup, along with her Scottish accent and incredible singing voice, made Grotterella my favourite character.

The pair certainly had the audience in fits of laughter.

Corrina Bucchan was excellent as Grotterlla (Credit: Mark Douet)

Now, while in true panto style, the show has a happy ending that ties up all the loose ends and reveals the story's moral, I was surprised to see that it did not replicate some of the common panto traditions, such as an actual Dame character and audience involvement.

Nevertheless, it was a truly spectacular show that brought a little sparkle and many laughs to a cold Thursday night as well as getting me in the mood for Christmas.

Hannah Akhalu played Snotterella (Credit: Mark Douet)

This modern twist on the well-known tale worked excellently to highlight the various social difficulties we often experience today.

Cinderella at the Rose is running until 4 January.

You can purchase tickets here.