For most of 2025 I have been extolling the programme of theatrical events that have been performed on the Regent stage. With most of the productions coming directly from the West End, the theatre goers of the region have been royally entertained.
With their production of Cinderella our local theatre and its local treasures Johnny Wilkes and Kai Owen – the latter celebrating his tenth panto in Stoke – have produced a Christmas feast that returns the compliment. It would not look out of place on any stage in the country.
From the moment that Rhiane Drummond steps onto the stage to set the scene as a glamorous and perfectly played Fairy Godmother the audience just knows that it is in for a real treat and when Wilkes literally swings into action then the party really gets started.
Wilkes plays Buttons and his love interest Cinderella is beautifully played by Kirsty Ingram. Unfortunately, Buttons amorous feelings are not shared by the sister who is used as a scullery maid by her siblings Hernia and Verruca Hardup (Amanda Coutts and Rebecca McKinnis respectively).
Cinders has eyes only for the handsome young man (Ben Oatley) who she believes to be a servant to the nation’s Prince. Little does she realise that the Prince has swapped roles with his real assistant Dandini (Owen) but she is desperate to obtain tickets for the ball being thrown by the royal court that has the intention of finding a bride for the heir to the throne.
Hernia and Verruca do their darndest to deny their sister her ticket but when you have friends in high places – especially magical places – then anything is possible and a beautifully clad Cinderella does go to the ball in splendid fashion and, even if her time there is limited, she leaves behind a clue that allows her smitten escort to track her down after scouring his kingdom.
After twenty years of presenting the panto in Hanley, Wilkes acknowledged that it was maybe time for a reset and an attempt to modernise Cinderella to make it more appropriate for the 21st Century. I feel that this has been successful. There seems a really modern feel to the whole production and this version of Cinderella just seems very fresh.
Fear not. All of the well-known elements remain part of the package but there have been tweaks to the tale. It is also noticeable that the Production team have retained all of the greatest hits that have provided so much fun over the last two decades and have been mixed with new routines. Add in a fresh score – well done to Musical Director Aaron Nice – and an ensemble that fills the stage with movement and glamour – congratulations to Choreographer Paul Domaine – and you will already have a hit on your hands.
But a panto needs just that little bit more to put it at the top of the Christmas list. There is no doubt that this panto provides that with glitzy costumes designed by Teresa Nalton and Mike Coltman, fabulous sets and special effects from The Twins FX.
The pairings of actors do all of this proud. The audience can believe that Ingram and Oatley are truly in love, Coutts and McKinnis have excellent participation with the audience and it goes without saying that Wilkes and Owen are the perfect dynamic duo.
Lastly, every panto needs its wow moment. Without any spoiler, every young girl in the audience can only dream of being transported to a ball in such sumptuous style.
This is a fabulous panto and my granddaughter, who has attended for many of Johnny’s twenty years declared it her favourite one yet. And who am I to disagree? For festive fun and frolics this is a real must see. Johnny and Kai – you have once again cemented your place as Princes of the Potteries Panto
Cinderella has a running time of approximately 2 hours twenty minutes including interval and continues its run until January 4th. For ticket information contact atgentertainment.com/stoke
