High points are the strong singing voices that extend across the cast, the broad Belfast accents and attitudes of the stepsisters who channel their inner Shirley Bassey, the slapstick Meat Loaf routine, and the reworking of several ABBA lyrics (as if three weeks of Mamma Mia performances were still reverberating around the Grand Opera House).
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The exuberant Sheppy is underused, particularly in the first act. Walcott gets much more opportunity to shine centre-stage this year: a sizeable number of cast and creatives from last year’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears are back, which must be seen as testament to the good atmosphere backstage in the Belfast production.
The costumes are colourful, the live band adapt to the wanton (and crowd-pleasing) messing around and ad lobbing in the comedy routines – the cast are only five performances into their 69-show run – and there are regular pyrotechnics and big set changes to keep building the spectacle.Crossroads Pantomimes’ Cinderella plays at the Grand Opera House until Sunday 15 January. It’s definitely the most elaborate pantomime in town with large scale special effects, an eight-strong dance ensemble and five band members in the pit.