Cinderella in review at Milton Keynes Theatre: Gok and Brian are a dream team

Every Cinderella has a fairy godmother. Every Cinderella except for the one in Milton Keynes, that is; our hard done-by lass has her very own Fairy Gokmother to help magic her away from scrubbing floors and into the Prince's arms.
The Prince and Cinderella meet again at the ballThe Prince and Cinderella meet again at the ball
The Prince and Cinderella meet again at the ball

Milton Keynes Theatre’s 2017 panto is a stellar one, with Gok Wan wand-waving and Brian Conley in the familiar role of Buttons.

Show producers wanted someone capable of bringing ‘belly laughs’ and Brian is that man.

The key to such a classy delivery lies in the attention to detail, and nothing has been overlooked.

Gok Wan and Brian Conley - panto's dream teamGok Wan and Brian Conley - panto's dream team
Gok Wan and Brian Conley - panto's dream team

There are two lines of communication as standard – one for the adults and one for the youngsters. A smattering of double-entendre here, and wonderfully cheeky moments there.

Brian’s infectious, unfussy fun is worth the ticket-price alone.

Cinderella is desperate to go to the ball, but the Ugly Sisters, aka Tess and Claudia, have other ideas for their step-sister, and make her rip up her invitation.

It’s down to the Fairy Gokmother to transform our downtrodden lovely (played superbly by Lauren Hall) with a Gok Fashion Fix; and Cinders becomes Princess Starlight for the night.

Gok Wan and Brian Conley - panto's dream teamGok Wan and Brian Conley - panto's dream team
Gok Wan and Brian Conley - panto's dream team

Gok is a wonderfully warm character and plays a blinder throughout.

Together, Gok and Brian really are a dream team.

Best bits? The non-stop humour, the superb special effects, and hearing the theatre alive with laughter, with all ages making the noise. That’s the real magic of panto.