SET in 1940 during the Blitz in London, Matthew Bourne gives us a truly captivating and visually exciting production that is full of humour, character and sumptuous music by Prokofiev.

Bourne’s choreography is always character driven which makes it very assessable. Bourne brilliantly flips the story on its head to make it fresh and engaging.

The most exciting reimagining is the Fairy Godmother who has become The Angel magnificently and charismatically played by Liam Mower as the all-knowing guardian overseeing Cinders and London’s demise. In a ghostly white, Mower presides over the action with his expansive classical movements making him stand out like an angel of doom.

A lot of the success of this production is down to Bourne and his creative team. The Designer Lez Brotherston and lighting designer Neil Austin totally transport us to wartime London. 

The opening act at the family house is monochrome and feels more like a film. 

Later as London is bombed, the set dismantles and the whole stage looks as if it is on fire. It is simultaneously a horrific and utterly beautiful moment.

This is a triumphant and beautiful production that is rooted in history as well as fairytales.

Jane Lalljee