Cinderella At St George's Theatre Great Yarmouth!

Cinderella At St George’s Theatre Great Yarmouth!

Modern, yet traditional all in one; a juxtaposition, but here we are, and panto is meant to be a bit bonkers so we have it sticking to form in Cinderella at The St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth for 2025!

We were invited back for a second year running to see the pantomime offering at St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth, and for a second year running, and despite my deep reservations about ever having to visit Great Yarmouth in general (yes, I am rude. But, also, I am honest), I would say I have found another of very few reasons to trip up the Acle Straight (and then come straight back again of course) because Cinderella, at least this version of it, is simply brilliant!

The big panto of the county, of course, is another tale of Cinders at The Theatre Royal in Norwich but for my money I would always choose a smaller company, a more localised theatre (support small guys) and a cast and set of creatives who are almost certainly working with a limited budget but without a doubt smashing it out the park anyway. There’s more to lose with theatre like St George’s and for that reason alone I would choose to patron them and their like over any bigger establishment. There is no monopoly when it comes to the arts in our region (unlike the public transport system) and so we need to open our eyes and see wider than our own front door’s vista. Local theatre pantos are happening in a plethora of spaces so choose one of those if you can and you are truly supporting theatre, the arts, actors, creatives, and everyone working in the establishments from those who administer the tickets to the cleaners keeping it ship shape.

We have Jack and The Bean Stalk in Dereham (with a friend of our family starring as the lead), The Wizard of Oz (topical) in Sheringham and (a better) Cinderella in Yarko to name a few – you can step away from the comfort zone of the Theatre Royal (although how comfortable £120 for mid range tickets for a family of four is, is debateable?)!

And I can hand on heart say stepping into the St George’s Theatre is very comfortable indeed. The house staff are welcoming and friendly, it feels more intimate in experience just by interaction at the desk, not to mention with the easy seating and close proximity to the performance. We all thoroughly enjoyed this Cinderella story with a modern twist to its tale, incorporating all the elements of panto which make it super fun. Two dames, one Princess, buttonZ (with a z this time), Prince Charming and Dandini who are joined on stage by the Evil Step-Mother/Fairy Auntie and a gaggle of excellent dancers who train at NabJab Dance School in Great Yarmouth.

Last year’s Snow White (played by Cerys Bright) returns as Cinderella, and a jolly god job she does of it too. Her voice is incredibly comforting as she entertains beautifully alongside a super strong rest of the cast. Another returning cast member is Ugly Sister number 2 (Gap) playing next to Ugly Sister number 1 (Horsey) in actor Paul Huntley Thomas, bouncing off Kyle Fraser. They both really capture the fun and wicked ways of the Ugly Sisters and panto in general.

ButtonZ, Dandini and The Evil Step-Mother/Fairy Auntie keep the energy up and with jokes which made us laugh and groan, songs to sing-a-long to and plenty of “It’s behind yous” there wasn’t anything that left us wanting!

Raffie was simply over the moon to realise the very same panto was streamed out to schools yesterday, with his being one of them. Another fine job, for another fine panto, with tickets which cost £49 for a family of four or £15/£12 for individual adult/child tickets. GREAT value for a superb show!

Well done on the 2025 panto St George’s, we loved it!