Cinderella

The Rose Theatre Kingston continues its noble tradition of programming Christmas shows based on the same stories as popular pantomimes, during pantomime season, except the show is definitely definitely not a pantomime, with a fresh spin on Cinderella from top playwright Chris Bush, co-written with the lesser-known Roni Neale. In it, 16-year-old Ella is spending Christmas at her dad’s house: chafing at her obnoxious step-family, she wishes she could be spirited away. Her prayers are seemingly answered as she’s transported to an idyllic fantasy kingdom – but is all as it seems? Bush did the Rose’s last Christmas show, a spin on Robin Hood with a deligtfully unsubtle anti-capitalist streak – imagine a bit of edge to this one too.