Review: Cinderella Pantomime at The Regent Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] There are Christmas traditions such as putting up trees, singing carols, eating mince pies and then there is panto at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent.

For many families across the city and beyond, such as mine, the season truly begins when the auditorium lights dim and that familiar music which signals the return of the ever-charismatic Jonathan Wilkes and infectiously funny Kai Owen for another year of good fun and laughter with the whole family.

This year’s Cinderella Pantomime,  delivers everything you could hope for in a classic pantomime i.e. big laughs, dazzling spectacle and a joyous sense of Stokie community that feels as warm as crackling fire. Joining them are Rhiane Drummond as the fabulous Fairy Godmother, Kirsty Ingram as the enchanting Cinderella, Ben Oatley as the dashing Prince Charming as well as Amanda Coutts and Rebecca McKinnis as the Ugly Sisters.

What did we think of the show?

It has become our family tradition to head to the Regent Theatre for their annual panto and as the curtains rose, we knew that it would not disappoint. The staging was grand and colourful, with glittering disco lights making the venue a magical place.

The atmosphere was vibrant and the audience ready for a night, they will never forget.  But of course, what makes this production truly shine is its cast, and it is hard to imagine a more crowd-pleasing duo than Jonathan Wilkes and Kai Owen. Their ability to keep the crowd, from young kids, teens to grandparents engaged was fabulous to see. They even got both my teens laughing at their “6-7” jokes which is a viral Gen Alpha meme that is making its rounds at the moment.

Wilkes, a veteran of Stoke panto and practically a local legend, returns for his 21st year, this time as Buttons with his signature blend of enthusiasm, cheeky charm and impeccable comic timing. There’s something undeniably endearing about Jonny‘s performance as he connects with the audience instantly as he gets the crowd to greet him with ‘Aye Up Buttons’ every time he comes on stage.

Button’s unrequited love for Cinderella is handled with warmth and sincerity, and his ability to pivot from silliness to genuine tenderness is what sets him apart, making his Buttons someone you can’t help but root for.

Complementing him with perfect chemistry is Kai Owen as Dandini, who is performing in his 10th Regent Theatre pantomime.

Kai brings a boisterous, infectious energy to the role, blending comedy, quick-fire one-liners and just the right amount of charm. His character, Dandini is lovable and whether he’s bantering with Wilkes, throwing himself wholeheartedly into a dance routine or running around chasing toilet rolls, Kai ensures the laughter never stops.

Supporting them is a strong ensemble: Rhiane Drummond sparkles as the fairy godmother, Kirsty Ingram brings warmth to Cinderella with beautiful singing, and Ben Oatley delivers a charismatic and handsome Prince Charming.

No Cinderella would be complete without the Ugly Sisters, and both Amanda Coutts (Hernia Hardup) as well as Rebecca McKinnis (Verruca Hardup) were gloriously outrageous and hilarious.  Their costumes, wigs and makeup were definitely extravagant and their shamelessly over-the-top antics and the strong Essex accent had the audience belly laughing.  While the show’s plot was relatively unimaginative and the lack of a pantomime Dame made us feel something was missing, the panto on the other hand hit the right spot with lots of Stokie references, making us feel all fuzzy, warm and ready for the festivities.

Musically, the show was packed with catchy, upbeat numbers which included ‘I Love Stoke-on-Trent’ and ‘APT’ that had children humming and dancing away. Our personal favourite which we look forward to year after year, is the Twelve Days of Christmas, which was hilarious.  The choreography was slick and energetic, performed with precision by a talented ensemble from Wilkes Academy and the Band, on point.

Cinderella’s transformation for the ball was also executed beautifully and almost seamlessly. The arrival of the carriage with its two little Shetland ponies drew the “Aahs and oohs” from the crowd.

To sum it up, we absolutely loved Cinderella at The Regent Theatre which was packed with laughs, dazzling costumes and brilliant audience fun. A magical, feel-good panto for all ages and one which ended with a standing ovation. Go get your tickets booked if you have not, as it runs until the 4th of January.

Cast

Creatives

Production Manager Brian Watson
Company Stage Manager Anthony Sammut
Deputy Stage Manager Amy Celnar
Lightning Programmer Lucy Newish
Production Electricians Dan Groves and Andrew Whittaker
Production Sound Engineer John Smith
Head of Wardrobe Rosie Astbury
Wardrobe Deputy Niamh Fuller
Writer Alan McHugh 
Choreographer Paul Domaine

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £78.

How do I book tickets to watch Cinderella?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or by visiting ATG’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be running until Sunday, 4 January 2026.  Evening shows will be at 5pm and 7pm with morning shows 11am and matinee shows at 1pm/2pm.  Do visit their website for the exact timing.

Where is The Regent Theatre in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent?

Piccadilly
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1AP
Tel: 08448717649

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Tips / Information

You may also want to read this:

Review: Nativity! The Musical at The Regent Theatre

Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at The Regent Theatre

Review: Dick Whittington at The Regent Theatre in Hanley

Review: Jack and the Beanstalk at The Regent Theatre

Review: The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at Regent Theatre

Review: Robin Hood at Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent

Photo Credit: Regent Theatre/ClaraLou Photography

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.