Cinderella at The Regent

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They’re back me Ducks!! Jonathan Wilkes, Kai Owen and the Wilkes Academy have returned to the Regent Theatre once again to rapturous applause, to perform their annual Christmas pantomime for the people of Stoke On Trent. This time around they’ve chosen to put their unique spin on one of the best known fairy tales of all time, Cinderella.

The first time I ever saw them in action was for their take on Dick Whittington and I didn’t think that could be beaten. They keep proving me wrong year after year though, and I left the theatre with a stomach that couldn’t take anymore of even the slightest bit of laughter. 

With all of the things we love kept in, along with buckets of new material that you’re guaranteed to fall in love with, it’s full of fun and frolics, and enough innuendo and adult humour that the kids should probably be putting their hands over their parents ears. They get away with murder, although I would say that it wasn’t quite as tongue in cheek as previous years. Don’t worry though, the jokes are clever enough not to offend young innocent ears.

Johnny milked his introduction as we’d all expect with a grand entrance! His loveable personality is as infectious as ever. Kai Owen, back for his tenth year was superb once again, and he added so much humour to the proceedings when on stage with Johnny. His comic timing was simply amazing.

There’s all the latest trends in there for the kids, but they still have time to perform some of the greatest British slap stick comedy that I’ve honestly ever seen, and it’s good to see that old school humour isn’t dead. I laughed so hard that it hurt, and I know that you will too. You just don’t see scenes like that on TV anymore so it was massively appreciated!

Here in Stoke, we like what we know and we know what we like. So seeing Johnny & Co at the Panto each year is like putting on a comfy pair of old slippers for Christmas! You know exactly what you’re going to get and they never disappoint.

Johnny & Kai have a real friendship which shines through in each performance and only when you meet them and see how they interact with each other and their audience can you tell just how much they love what they do. I’ll bet the rehearsal sessions are madness!! I did miss Christian Patterson this year, as many others did. It was great to see him back in the frock last year, and it’s never quite the same without him, so I do hope that we’ll see him next year!

With innovative set design, astounding costume design, incredible choreography and stand out performances from the whole cast, the majority of which are learning their craft at the Wilkes Academy, the talent on stage is just incredible!

Quite simply it’s heart warming, hilariously funny and there’s no better way to create festive family memories! It’s a festive feel good treat for all ages! Book your tickets now! I’m already looking forward to next years Panto! Bring it on me Ducks!

Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinderella is playing at the Regent Theatre NOW, up until and including Sunday 4th January. Tickets are on sale from just £15 and are available by calling the Regent Theatre Box Office on 0844 871 7649. You can also visit www.atgtickets.com/stoke for tickets and info.