CINDERELLA

Gillian Lynne Theatre andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest spectacular is finally here. Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell’s book updates the rags to royal riches schtick with a modern message that ticks buzzworthy boxes from gender politics to body image and throws in a show-stopping gay kiss.

It’s all set in the screamingly superficial kingdom of Belleville where only appearances matter and the muscular baker flaunts his “hot buns” while shirtless guards flex to the Hunks’ Song.

Carrie Hope Fletcher shines in the title role, introduced in the rocking Bad Cinderella as a rebel raging at the inanity around her.

The bombastic I Know I Have A Heart and achingly tender Far Too Late are classic Lloyd Webber compositions and Fletcher slays both with ease.

Newcomer Ivano Turco delights as shy Prince Sebastian, delivering the soaring power ballad Only You, Lonely You with sweet sincerity.

Rebecca Trehearn’s Queen and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt’s Stepmother frequently steal the show, trading barbs in a sensational series of camp couture gowns. The entire cast is strong and one piece of stage wizardry absolutely brings the house down. Yet, somehow the wheels come off the carriage by the end.

Fletcher and Turco’s showstoppers aside, the score is a little underwhelming. The story’s pacing and message are increasingly muddled by a conflicted heroine who doesn’t know what she wants. Sentiment also struggles to surface amid the panto capering and frantic revelations at the end. I had fun but I didn’t quite have a ball.