Theatre in review: what the critics are saying about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella
Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell’s rebooted storyline and dialogue have ‘heart’ as well as ‘barbed wit’

The road to the opening of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical Cinderella has been rocky indeed, said Clive Davis in The Times. All the lockdown delays, pingdemic postponements and “anguished” wranglings with the Government “could almost be material” for a musical of their own. Now, at last, the show has gone on – and it’s a triumph.
Lloyd Webber’s “richly enjoyable orchestrations range from grand waltzes, courtly processionals and marches to deftly pastiched and deeply felt romanticism”, said Chris Wiegand in The Guardian. There are “bewitching melodies”, as well as rollicking guitar riffs, power ballads and a splash of chanson. David Zippel’s “crystalline” lyrics are “cheekily satirical yet wistful and uplifting too”. And Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell’s rebooted storyline and dialogue have “heart” as well as “barbed wit”.
It all “adds up to not so much a ball as a blast: terrifically OTT and silly”, but also warm, funny and vastly entertaining. This “sassy, sarky” version of the fairy-tale is set in Belleville, a place where feudal France meets modern “Love Island-style body snobbery and romantic cynicism”, said Nick Curtis in the London Evening Standard: “periwigs and bustles rub up against washboard abs and cantilevered bosoms”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In this culture, Cinders is a “Goth refusenik”, who steals the show with a series of fabulous numbers. Carrie Hope Fletcher excels in the role: her voice is “beautiful and powerful enough to knock down walls”. Ivano Turco is also strong as Sebastian (the brother of Prince Charming, who has vanished from Belleville: plot twist alert).
But the most fun is had by the villains, said Marianka Swain in The Daily Telegraph. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is a “commanding” Cruella of a Stepmother, and Rebecca Trehearn’s queen is a “regal diva”. With resplendent set and costume design, and “exuberant” choreography, this is “an utterly charming crowd-pleaser” that deserves to run for years.
I had niggles with the concept, said Andrzej Łukowski in Time Out. Turning Cinderella into a slyly feminist “takedown of human superficiality” is a nice idea, but isn’t there something odd about “hiring a cast of hot young buff people to send up the idea of hot young buff people”? Also, it’s not clear why anarchist Cinders would spend her days in “meek servitude” to her wicked stepmother and “ugly-on-the-inside” sisters.
Still, it’s all “great fun” and undeniably enjoyable. Lloyd Webber seems to have reached a point in his career when he just wants to entertain his audiences – and his new show does that in considerable style.
The Gillian Lynne Theatre, London WC2, until 29 May 2022
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Crossword: April 20, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff
-
Sudoku hard: April 20, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
One-pan black chickpeas with baharat and orange recipe
The Week Recommends This one-pan dish offers bold flavours, low effort and minimum clean up
By The Week UK
-
G20: Viola Davis stars in 'ludicrous' but fun action thriller
The Week Recommends The award-winning actress plays the 'swashbuckling American president' in this newly released Prime Video film
By The Week UK
-
6 must-see homes in Boston
Feature Featuring a factory-turned-loft in South Boston and a wraparound roof deck in South End
By The Week US
-
Cartier at the V&A: a 'dazzling' show
The Week Recommends A 'once-in-a-lifetime' display of the French jeweller's 'exquisite' objects
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
What is Free Speech?: a 'meticulous' look at the evolution of freedom of expression
The Week Recommends Fara Dabhoiwala provides both history and critique while 'correcting misconceptions'
By The Week UK
-
Rupert Gavin shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The theatre impresario picks works by Dan Jones, Annie Ernaux and Floella Benjamin
By The Week UK
-
What They Found: Sam Mendes's powerful debut documentary
The Week Recommends The Oscar-winning director's harrowing film features footage and first-hand accounts of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
By The Week UK
-
The Return: a 'lethally effective' Odyssey adaptation
The Week Recommends Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche reunite in Urberto Pasolini's 'emotionally gripping' drama
By The Week UK