This is a classy puppet show. It has a slightly creepy gothic aesthetic, like a Tim Burton film, but it’s not overdone, and there’s an excellent, prominent score, with moody strings, only occasionally spoken over – in French. The arty parents of Islington will love it. Their children will enjoy it too. The story is not wholly predictable. “When’s the fairy godmother going to come?” Martha asked. “Very soon,” I assured her, with great confidence. I was wrong: she has been replaced by a magic broom, which flies around, dancing with Cinders. “It’s magic!” I whispered, like someone in an advert for theatre tokens. “No, look – it’s on a stick,” came the reply. In the second half, the storytelling is rather vague: the business about leaving the ball before midnight is only hinted at. But the sketchy narration is redeemed by some lovely staging: in the slipper-losing scene, there’s a sudden, thrilling switch to shadow puppetry, which is surprisingly beautiful.

Martha Hobson, 6, says: “I liked the ugly sisters, especially when they laughed, and it was funny when they tried on the shoe and showed their big feet. I really liked it.”

Little Angel, N1

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