Review: A Magical Cinderella at Shakespeare North Playhouse Delights This Festive Season

I had the pleasure of watching Cinderella on Tuesday 25th November at the Shakespeare North Playhouse. I've always enjoyed this theatre with its ultra modern feel and immersive auditorium with a cockpit style stage. The space is impressive with its 420-seat capacity and every seat gives you a different angle to the story. It's defintely a setup that makes everyone feel really connected to the action.

Thomas Cotran who plays Charming, Ratface, Prince Flarf & Mouse

So, if you're looking for a bit of holiday enchantment, the Shakespeare North Playhouse’s latest production of Cinderella is a must-see. Running until January 10, 2026, this heartwarming adaptation of the classic fairytale has been given a delightful local twist by writer Nick Lane and directed by Nicole Behan. The intimate Cockpit Theatre space truly comes alive with a production that blends humour, a sprinkle of magic, and a whole lot of heart.

Elliott Kingsley who plays Delightful, Dad, Blob, Dean and the pumpkin

The venue itself is perfect for such a cozy yet enchanting tale. The seating and audience interaction really make you feel part of the story. Tia Larsen shines as Cinderella, bringing warmth and depth to the role. Remarkably, she has swapped front of house for centre stage in this production and has literally gone from 'front desk to leading lady'. She serves up a fantastic performance as Cinderella and should be incredibly proud of her achievement.

Tia Larsen as Cinderella

Emma Bispham as the Chief fairy (CF) “Mandy” is a bundle of energy and charm. Emma-Grace Arends who plays Mandy, Herald and Virginia is a quirky ball of enthusiasm and she did the role justice. Prince Flarf, yes, with that quirky name is played wonderfully by Thomas Cotran, and alongside Elliott Kingsley and the rest of the talented cast, they create a truly memorable experience.

Emma Bispham - Chief Fairy, Mum, Filania, Frog and Tia Larsen - Cinderella

Set and costume designer Chloe Wyn excelled herself with the beautiful and powerful costumes and set. According to Wyn , the vision behind the set gleaned inspiration from the clockmakers of Prescot and the historic foundation of clockmaking that the town boasts. The set and costumes were a testament to her skill and precision in set and costume design, that's for sure.

All in all, this production of Cinderella is a delightful festive treat. It's packed with laughter, a plethora of favorite tunes that you can sing along to, and a heartening message about family and self-discovery. It’s definitely worth a visit if you want to sprinkle a little extra magic into your holiday season. You may even find yourself standing to dance at the end as you join the cast in a catchy sing along accompanied with actions.

Don't miss this delightful show this Christmas season. It's guaranteed fun for the entire family. Tickets are available here until January 10th