Edinburgh panto 2024: Cinderella review | Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Updated: Dec 3

Amber Sylvia Edwards and Will Callan in Cinderella panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

Cinderella | Capital Theatre's pantomime 2024

Written by Harry Michaels and Allan Stewart with additional material from Grant Stott and Matt Slack

Directed by Ed Curtis

The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh | 27 November 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Magical!

The Edinburgh Festival Theatre panto is the biggest and brightest in Scotland. This year, Capital Theatre's Cinderella features a traditional fairytale storyline enhanced by world-class staging, music and comedy. The shimmering costumes are spectacular. The dancers are exquisite. And the cast are outstanding. With more than a touch of Edinburgh humour and a sprinkle of panto magic, this Cinderella is one that simply must not be missed this Christmas. It's breathtaking.

You all know the story: Cinderella (Amber Sylvia Edwards), with the help of her Fairy Godmother (Allan Stewart) outwits her wicked stepmother (Grant Stott) and two evil sisters (Clare Gray and Gail Watson) so that she can go to the ball. Prince Charming (Will Callan) searches the land to find the beautiful girl who left a glass slipper behind. But can it really be the girl in rags at Hardup Hall? Will Cinderella's best friend Buttons (Jordan Young) ever confess his love for her? And what will the Fairy Godmother do with all these pumpkins!?

Grant Stott and cast in Cinderella panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

I will be honest, I'm not normally a fan of the big, national produced pantomimes - they can often feel cold and impersonal. But Crossroads Pantomimes and Capital Theatres have outdone themselves this year. From the very first scene of Cinderella it's clear that this panto has been written for the people of Edinburgh. There are so many well-judged and expertly performed and presented Edinburgh specific musical numbers, jokes and references in this show that it feels very far removed from a cookie-cutter panto. Stars Allan Stewart and Grant Stott have taken a key role in writing this pantomime and their voices and personalities can be heard clearly throughout. The book, music and lyrics for this Cinderella are wonderful, original and unmistakably rooted in Edinburgh 2024.

There is an inspired rendition of Petula Clark's 'Downtown' which becomes (Edinburgh) New Town, a genius piece about a local, out of town shopping centre that had the audience in hysterics, and even a nod to the Edinburgh Tattoo during a fab-u-lous dance off sequence. This panto is packed with local knowledge and clever swipes at Scottish culture: it's a love letter to Edinburgh wrapped into a first-rate musical comedy masterclass.

But being produced by Crossroad Pantomimes you can also expect the lavish sets, meticulous production values and quality casting that they are synonymous with. This panto really is the best of both worlds.

Allan Stewart in Cinderella panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

This pantomime may be called 'Cinderella' but Scottish stage favourites Allan Stewart and Grant Stott are the stars of the show.

Allan Stewart is a legend, and his performance as Faerie May here is a joy to behold. As a long-time fan, I'm always thrilled to watch Allan perform: at 74 years old, his stage presence remains unmatched.

He's obviously having the time of his life as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother on the Festival Theatre stage, and with a twinkle in his eye he casts chaos on more than a few scenes. He can get away with it. And it's hilarious.

Grant Stott in Cinderella panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

Grant Stott this year is Baroness Hibernia Fortuna and he has never been better. Stott owns the traditional Panto Dame costumes and makeup, strutting around the stage full of football jokes and good-natured taunts. His Act II opening number (no spoilers, but he wants you to Boo him!) is one of the highlights of the show - that and the inspired 'shopping centre' song. Stott nails every scene, every line, every facial expression and gibe. It's a glorious performance from Stott.

Stewart and Stott may get the most stage time but this cast is crammed with incredible talent and stunning performances. Jordan Young's Buttons is full of energy and a deserving, perennial audience favourite. Clare Gray and Gail Watson are great as the step sisters; they shine when given the opportunity to show off their vocal talents. West End star Will Callan is underused as Prince Charming, but sensational any time he is on stage. And newcomer Amber Sylvia Edwards is simply stunning as Cinderella. My jaw dropped when she sang her first note. Edwards is exquisite, and a perfect pantomime princess.

Amber Sylvia Edwards as Cinderella in panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

There is no junior ensemble in this production, the supporting cast of dancers and singers are all adult professional performers. The vast Edinburgh Festival Theatre stage is the largest in Scotland and Cinderella fills it not only with sparkling sets but with stunning dancers in exquisite costumes. There are ten adult pro-dancers here and they make a striking impact on the stage. It's another nod to the unbeatable quality of this production.

Allan Stewart and the cast of Cinderella panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

Live music always add something special to any theatre production and especially to a pantomime where music can often be a secondary consideration. At the Festival Theatre, Andy Pickering's orchestra are superb and the sound design by Richard Brooker is flawless.

The costumes by Teresa Nalton are some of the finest you will see in the pantosphere. The attention to detail is impeccable and very much appreciated. I can never get enough sequins at Christmas! But most striking of all, Rory Beaton's lighting of the set, the stage and surrounds is magnificent. Every scene is embellished with dramatic colours and impressive accents.

Grant Stott, Clare Gray and Gail Watson in Cinderella panto at Edinburgh Festival Theatre 2024. Photo credit: Douglas Robertson

The traditional Act 1 closing spectacle at the Festival Theatre this year is sensational. No I don't know how they did it, but I was just as astonished and thrilled as any of the small children sitting around me.

Cinderella is certainly a big budget panto and that comes with a slightly higher ticket price than you may expect to pay for your local neighbourhood Christmas show. But the cost of your ticket can clearly be seen on the stage here. It's worth every penny. With tickets from £20 - £40 and even a £10 day ticket deal for under 25s, Cinderella at the Festival Theatre presents exceptional value for money. I cannot imagine that any pantomime in London's West End could better it. It has everything you'd expect from a top of the range panto production and more.

If you're looking to be wowed this Christmas, look no further than Cinderella at Edinburgh Festival Theatre.

It's a jaw-dropping magical panto spectacular. It's outstanding.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✨ Cinderella is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh now until Tuesday 31 December 2024. See full listing details & ticket deals here

MORE: Find more panto reviews like this on Lisa in the Theatre here

MORE: What other pantos are on in Scotland this year? Check out my panto guides here