ARTS & CULTURE
CHRISTMAS IS COMING, AND A TRIP TO THE THEATRE IS ALL PART OF THE MAGIC. WE ROUND UP THE BEST SHOWS IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGE THIS YEAR
28 NOVEMBER – 11 JANUARY CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE CINDERELLA
This year’s Arts Theatre panto promises to be an absolute corker: Cinderella is working her fingers to the bone, dreaming of a better life, while her ugly stepsisters plot and scheme. But a surprise visit from her fairy godmother turns her life upside down. There’s obviously something about Christmas in Cambridge that keeps panto stars coming back for more – Wayne Sleep is returning a year on from his stint as the evil Abanazar in 2018’s Aladdin , while Liza Goddard makes her third visit to Cambridge, this year starring as the Fairy Godmother. And the panto wouldn’t be the same without audience favourite Matt Crosby, marking his 15th Christmas at the Arts Theatre – but his first ever as an Ugly Sister. “I’ve always been Buttons in Cinderella,” says Matt. “But Wayne and I did Aladdin together last year, and I said that if he would be one ugly sister then I’d be the other – and luckily he felt the same. The two of us started rehearsals a week earlier than everyone else, and it’s been a hoot so far!” And what is it that brings Matt back to Cambridge year after year? “I came 15 years ago as a favour to my friend Brad, who was directing the panto at the time. And I just loved it, it felt like home. When the lights go on, there’s nowhere more beautiful, and everyone is so friendly.” Matt puts the success of the Arts Theatre panto partly down to the great rapport between the cast. “There are so many people who come back, so it feels like a family – the audience pick up on the fun we’re having so they have fun, too.” Tickets start at £19. cambridgeartstheatre.com
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