Rehearsal photos as Cinderella: A Fairytale returns to Bristol Old Vic

The photographs, taken by Helen Murray, show the company at work ahead of a run from 27 November 2026 - 2 January 2027, with press night on Thursday 3 December. This is a revival: the piece was created by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and its original company, and Lisa Gregan now directs it as the theatre's Christmas production, fifteen years after Bristol last saw it.

In this telling, Ella's story starts among the trees. Grieving her mother, she retreats to the woods around the home she shares with her father and finds company in the birds that nest there. When her father remarries, the birds come to feel like the only family she has left, until a boy who is just as keen on birdwatching finds his way to her hiding place, holding an invitation to the Royal Ball.

Joëlle Brabban plays Ella, and Joseph Langdon is back at Bristol Old Vic as the birdwatching Prince. The Queen is played by Dionne Draper, a Bristol performer, singer and writer, while Cathy Walker makes her first appearance at the theatre as the scheming Stepmother. Guy Hughes, an actor and musician based in Bristol, is the Stepbrother, and Daisy Ann Fletcher completes the family as the Stepsister.

The music is performed on stage. The show's composer, Alex Heane, is in the company as musical director, and Harry Miller appears as Master of Ceremonies as well as playing in the band.

Gregan's creative team is Rachael Canning (set, costume and puppet design, and puppet direction), movement director Chi-San Howard, lighting designer Mike Gunning, sound designer Elena Peña, associate director Robert Furey and casting director Ruby Gilmour.

Tickets start at £11 and performance times vary across the run. The show lasts about two hours including an interval and is recommended for ages 5 and over.

For more information, visit the official website.