Panto season has reached Hammersmith. The first rehearsal photographs for the Lyric’s Cinderella are out, with Chrissie Bhima in the title role and Ashh Blackwood as Buttons.
The glass slippers are still in the props store, but the rehearsal room is already in full pantomime mode. The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has released the first pictures of its Cinderella company at work, shot by Helen Murray and Alex Brenner, nine days before the first performance on 14 November.
Chrissie Bhima plays Cinderella, as we reported when the cast was named in September. Around her are Durone Stokes as Prince M. Charming, Ashh Blackwood as Buttons and Donna Berlin as the villain of the piece, Suella. Colin Burnicle doubles as Muruduth and the Fairy Kween, and Lauryn Redding plays Mikayla and Dandini. Sameer Dhanjee, Ellie Seaton and Liza Stevenson make up the ensemble.
Joel Horwood, who adapted The Ocean at the End of the Lane for the stage, wrote the script. It is his first Lyric panto since Aladdin in 2016. Robin Belfield directs; his recent credits include Princess Essex and Anansi The Spider.
This telling is set in the kingdom of Glamoursmith. Cinderella is stuck scrubbing a crumbling castle for Suella, while the Prince has until midnight to find himself a bride, or the whole kingdom (audience very much included) is in trouble. Expect songs, slapstick and the twist the Lyric likes to put on a familiar fairy tale.
Janet Bird designs the set and costumes, with lighting by Sally Ferguson, music by Corin Buckeridge, sound by Holly Khan and choreography by Georgina Lamb. Ashton Moore is musical director and Richard Johnston is responsible for casting.
Press performances are on Saturday 21 November, at 2pm and 6pm. The run also includes a relaxed performance on Tuesday 1 December at 10am, an audio-described show on Thursday 10 December at 7pm, a BSL-interpreted performance on Friday 11 December at 7pm and an open-captioned performance on Wednesday 16 December at 7pm. Tickets start at £10, and our guide to the production has the rest of what you need before you go.
Cinderella plays the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 14 November 2026 - 3 January 2027.
