Dates: Wed 14 December - Mon 2 January

Prices: £6 - £16.50

Venue: Theatre

The formula of a giant pumpkin, a glass slipper, a flying horse and two very ugly sisters results in a festive treat of sparkling slapstick fun in Hiss and Boo?s 2011 pantomime production of Cinderella which plays at Newport Riverfront in South Wales until January 2nd 2012.

Featuring a glittering cast of television stars Keiron Self, Melanie Walters and Richard Elis, Cinderella features an array of colourful costumes, magical effects and even a sprinkling of seasonal snow!

Nichola Lagan Gives An Enchanting Performance As Cinderella Nichola Lagan is enchanting in the title role of the beautiful Cinderella who despite interventions from her ugly sisters Blodwen and Myfanwy (played by Lee Mengo and Richard Elis), tries her hardest to go the ball hosted by her beloved Prince Charming (Rob Wilshaw) and his servant Dandini (Jamie Anderson).

Thankfully Cinders has a little help from her Fairy Godmother (Melanie Walters), Baron Hardup (Anthony Osborn), Eliza (Emma Goodwin) and her best friend Buttons, (Keiron Self) to ensure her safe arrival to the Princes ball.

Melanie Walters and Keiron Self Star In Newport Riverfront's Cinderella

Several well-known stars of television add their mark to this stellar production. Sitcom stars Melanie Walters from Gavin and Stacey and Newport born and bred actor Keiron Self from High Hopes and My Family are ideally cast as The Fairy Godmother and Buttons respectively.

Keen eyed EastEnders fans may spot Richard Elis (who played Huw in the popular soap) as one of the ugly sisters. This is Richard?s second appearance in pantomime having appeared as Abanazar in last year?s production of Aladdin.

Also making reappearance at Newport Riverfront?s pantomime is Lee Mengo. Lee gives a fabulous performance as Widow Twankey in the 2010 production of Aladdin and brings impeccable comic timing to the fore alongside Richard Elis in Cinderella.

Both Mengo and Elis display the ability to work together as a credible double-act delivering a hilarious Hip-Hop take on the White Christmas song Sisters before demonstrating classic slapstick in the Near Enough Ballet at the Princes Ball alongside Keiron Self as Buttons.

Plenty of song and dance routines are also spread throughout Cinderella provided by local youngsters from Newport lead by actress and choreographer Emma Goodwin. These stunning dance sequences which serve to embellish the productions colourful scenes.

Guaranteed to be enjoyed by the whole family, Cinderella is an excellent way to end the festive season if you happen to be in the vicinity of South Wales. The production ends on January 2, 2012, for booking information visit the Newport Riverfront website.

Andy Howells, Musical Theatre - December 2011