Have a ball with panto Cinderella

IF you want to have a ball this Christmas, then you shall go to this year's panto Cinderella at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.

A laugh a minute for young and old, highlights including the ugly sisters Flatula (Iain Lauchlan) and Verucca (Grey Powrie) who pitch up on stage in fabulous lipstick and cosmetic powder costumes, the first of many elaborate outfits donned by the wacky pair. Constantly churning out the gags, their comedy act is aimed at both children and adults.

As the traditional tale is played out by characters including Cinderella herself (Anna Mitcham), Prince Charming (Clare Waugh), Buttons (Alastair G Bruce) and Fairy Godmother (Helen Watson), the quality stage sets change almost as much as the costumes. Of particular note are the flying horse and carriage, the ugly sisters' bathroom complete with slogans such as "I heart plastic surgery", the glittering ball itself and "Hard Up Hall".

Another crowd pleaser was a rendition of the Proclaimers' 500 miles, that got everyone singing along. And there's also a funny scene when the ugly sisters do their own version of Beyonce's "Single Ladies", complete with the necessary moves, while one is dressed up as a Terry's Chocolate Orange and the other is a Dairy Milk branded instead as "Hairy Hulk".

There's also plenty of local references, including playful derides at Dingwall residents, and a joke about former Inverness nightclub Blue for all its various name changes over the years.

Imagine Theatre have got everything right in this family favourite production. Running until January 8, it's not to be missed. HB