Cinderella review: Panto season off to an underpowered start at Hackney Empire

The Hackney Empire pantomime tends to be a treat. This year’s offering reunites the usual creative team — writer and director Susie McKenna, composer Steven Edis and designer Lotte Collett. But it’s a less fluent, fresh and satisfying show than others I’ve seen at this venue.

Parts of it are very similar to the Cinderella staged here in 2011 — whether it’s Sharon D Clarke and Clarke Peters voicing a pair of mice, or the decision to get the audience out of its seats three times to join in with a drab song about Clapton the Wonder Horse.

Other choices have a pleasingly retro feel — tunes by Stevie Wonder, Queen and Bonnie Tyler all figure, and there are nods to the style of Thirties Harlem. But the topical references aren’t sharp enough. Although fake news, Brexit and Theresa May get a look-in, and a dubiously coiffed Donald Trump turns up to the ball, the writing lacks spark.

It’s delivered with gusto by an exuberant cast and five-piece band — not helped by iffy sound. As Dandini, Stephane Anelli combines comic verve and some spry dance moves, and Darren Hart’s Buttons has an almost volcanic enthusiasm.

McKenna savours the exaggerated meanness of Cinderella’s stepmother, and Aisha Jawando brings a natural brightness to the title role. Kat B and Tony Whittle, reprising their frisky double act as the Ugly Sisters, generate big laughs. But while the show boasts sparkle and fun, it’s overlong and less quirkily inventive than in previous years.

Until Dec 31, Hackney Empire; hackneyempire.co.uk