Award-winning pantomime pioneers He’s Behind You! are returning to Charing Cross Theatre with Cinderella: Buttons Undone!, running from 21 November 2026 to 9 January 2027. Swapping royal courts for tennis courts, this outrageous festive extravaganza promises original songs, biting humour, outrageous characters and plenty of romantic confusion.
Set in the faded seaside resort of Lob-on-Sea, the production follows hotel maid Cindy, played by Laura Anna-Mead (Some Mothers Do’ Ave’ Em), whose world is turned upside down by dysfunctional family members, gangsters and unexpected romance. Returning after last year’s Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story, Anna-Mead is joined by Matthew Baldwin and Chris Lane as her awful step siblings, Mercedes and Bentley.
Matt Kennedy (Mamma Mia, We Will Rock You) plays Cindy’s gay best friend Buttons, whose own romantic ambitions threaten to take the fairytale in an unexpected direction. Meanwhile, Catherine Millsom (Kinky Boots, Sister Act) plays Cindy’s gangster stepmother, Ida Bigschitt, freshly returned from prison and determined to cause chaos.
Completing the romantic complications is tennis champion Ivan Yassandvich, played by Bartek Kraszewski (Ride the Cyclone), who is searching for a bride. Dermot Canavan (Elf the Musical, Hairspray) plays his father, Lev, the Smellarussian minister for sport and women’s affairs. At the same time, Arianna Duffus (Tina Turner The Musical) brings a new twist to the fairy godmother as Mystic Mandi. He’s Behind You! regulars Jordan Stamatiadis and Fin Walton complete the cast.
Written by Jon Bradfield (Animal, Queers) and Martin Hooper (Ghosted), with original songs by Bradfield, Andrew Beckett directs the production. Aaron Clingham provides musical direction and orchestrations, with choreography by Carole Todd, whose pantomime credits include directing Lily Savage in Snow White.
The creative team also includes award-winning designer David Shields (Heathers The Musical; Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story), with costumes by Robert Draper, lighting by Matt Hockley and sound by Andrew Johnson. Produced by Oli Sones for He’s Behind You!, the show journeys from the shabby sea-view rooms of the Royal Palace B&B to lavish ballroom splendour.
Matthew Baldwin, who plays Mercedes, describes the production as being invited to “the best party ever”, with funny friends and exciting new faces. He sees Mercedes as “a gorgeous grafter who refuses to settle” and jokes that his character preparations will begin with “the tits and wig” before seeing where they take him.
With its trademark blend of outrageous comedy, affectionate satire and unapologetically gay humour Cinderella: Buttons Undone! looks set to deliver another riotous festive treat for grown-ups. He’s Behind You! has built a reputation for giving traditional pantomimes a deliciously subversive twist, and this latest production promises to be no exception.
Previous productions have earned five-star praise, with Gay Times calling the company’s work “an absolute blast”, West End Wilma describing it as “outrageous, affectionate and gloriously stupid”, and The Stage declaring it “the hit of the festive season”.
Expect gangsters, disguises, tennis-inspired mischief and a fairytale romance that is anything but conventional. This Cinderella is definitely not for the kids!
Cinderella: Buttons Undone! runs from Saturday 21st November 2026 to Saturday 9th January 2027 at Charing Cross Theatre, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL, United Kingdom.
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