Everything you need to know about 'Cinderella' in the West End

From how to get Cinderella tickets to when to see the musical, here’s your ultimate guide to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella.

With so many Cinderella stories out there, it’s almost as if there’s a Cinderella multiverse expanding before our very eyes. There’s even three musicals which centre on the princess: Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Cinderella in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods are in the traditional canon. But now there’s a new Cinderella in town, and she’s here to rock your world. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella breathes a 21st-century essence into the archaic fairytale and it’s pretty spectacular.

Here's our complete guide to the West End production of Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Book Cinderella tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

What is Cinderella about?

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella isn’t your typical Cinderella story. However, all your favourite Cinderella tropes: the fairy godmother, Prince Charming, and the glass slipper remain. The revisionist Cinderella is set in Belleville, a fictional town which celebrates the outer beauty of its residents. Everyone is pretty and fits in, except Cinderella. The social outcast spraypaints and typically wears black, and nobody speaks to her. She doesn’t conform to beauty standards, but she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. When she meets Prince Sebastian, the pair hit it off immediately as friends. But could that blossom into something more?

Like many Cinderella stories, the princess eventually makes it to the ball, courtesy of help from her Fairy Godmother. But will she able to dance with Prince Sebsatian, or will her beauty only shine through? Ultimately, this feminist Cinderella is all about celebrating who you are regardless of what anyone thinks.

There’s royal weddings galore, there’s plenty of dancing and there’s even a spinning stage! In a Cinderella review, our critic said: “Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella is a different kind of fairytale, one that, instead, reminds us of our humanity and that sometimes things turn out as you least expect them to. Happily ever after is certainly due for the rebranding it's getting at the Gillian Lynne. Here's to a new kind of fairytale.”

Where is Cinderella playing?

Cinderella is in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The Gillian Lynne Theatre was renamed in 2018 after the late choreographer. Previous shows at the Gillian Lynne Theatre include School of Rock, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and a 21-year run of Cats.

How long is Cinderella?

The Cinderella musical running time is 2 hours and 40 minutes. Evening performances typically begin at 7:30pm and end at 10:10pm. Matinee performances typically begin at 2:30pm and end at 5:10pm.

What days is Cinderella playing?

Cinderella plays eight performances a week at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Evening performances take place daily from Tuesday to Saturday, and matinee performances are on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. For the complete performance schedule and show times, please visit the Cinderella page to learn more.

When did Cinderella premiere?

Cinderella was originally scheduled to open at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in August 2020, however the production was pushed back 10 months to June 2021 as a result of the pandemic. Cinderella previews began on 25 Jun. 2021, ahead of an opening night on 18 Aug. 2021. The production then closed in December 2021 due to the Omicron wave and reopened in February 2022. Cinderella is now enjoying an open-ended run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, with performances currently to February 2023.

Who wrote Cinderella?

The Cinderella book is Emerald Fennell’s playwriting debut. The Oscar-winning actress is best known for her acclaimed screenplay, Promising Young Woman. She’s also worked on hit television shows such as Killing Eve and Fleabag. Her feminist takes definitely seep into the Cinderella musical.

Cinderella music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber. He’s considered “the most commercially successful composer in history” by the New York Times, and he’s won over 40 awards for his musicals, including Oliviers, Tonys, and even a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Find out more about Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals here.

Cinderella Characters

There are some Cinderella characters which you’ll be familiar with if you’ve seen other Cinderella stories. However there are many Cinderella characters in this musicals which are newly added for the latest musical. Find out more about the lead characters in Cinderella here.

Cinderella - Cinderella is the lead protagonist in the Cinderella musical. She’s a feisty individual who doesn’t fit in her town, but she’s determined to stay true to herself even it proves difficult. Carrie Hope Fletcher originated the role of Cinderella.

Prince Sebastian - Prince Sebastian is one of the Queen’s sons. During the musical, he strikes up an unexpected friendship with Cinderella and the pair become besotted by one another. The Queen organises a royal wedding for Prince Sebastian and Cinderella, much to everyone’s dismay. But can Prince Sebastian grow as he steps into the spotlight?

The Queen - The Queen rules over Belleville and her entourage of “Man’s Men” stay by her side. During the musical, she organises a royal wedding for one of her sons, but the final groom isn’t revealed until the end.

The Stepmother - Like most Cinderella tales, the Stepmother in the Cinderella musical is an evil, heartless woman who treats Cinderella with disrespect. Her children, Adele and Marie, adopt a similar tone with their stepsister.

The Fairy Godmother - The Fairy Godmother takes on a new role in the Cinderella musical, as she transforms Cinderella into the belle of the ball. Can the fairy godmother convince Cinderella to see the good in herself?

Prince Charming - For most of the Cinderella musical, Prince Charming is nowhere to be found. He’s the Queen’s first-born son, and Belleville mourns him. But at the end, he runs off with the Duke.

There’s plenty of comedic turns in Cinderella to watch out for. Stepsisters Adele and Marie taunt Cinderella throughout the musical, and the “Men’s Men” that support the Queen will definitely catch your eye. The Cinderella ensemble bring Belleville to life. See the full Cinderella cast in action at the Gillian Lynne Theatre and book tickets now.

Cinderella songs

Like The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, the Cinderella musical is mainly sung-through. Here’s all the Cinderella songs you can hear onstage..

Act One

"Buns 'n' Roses" – The Queen and ensemble
"It Has to Be Her" – Ensemble
"Bad Cinderella" – Cinderella
"So Long" – Cinderella and Prince Sebastian
"Unfair" – Adele, Marie and The Stepmother
"Unbreakable" – Cinderella
"Hunks Song" – The Queen and Prince Sebastian
"Man's Man" – Male Company and The Queen
"So Long" / "Introduction to Only You, Lonely You" – Cinderella and Prince Sebastian
"Only You, Lonely You" – Prince Sebastian
"I Know You" – Stepmother and The Queen
"The Village Square" – Company
"Unfair" – Cinderella, The Stepmother, Adele and Marie
"The Godmother's Shop" – Godmother and Cinderella
"Beauty Has a Price" – Cinderella and Godmother

Act Two

"The Cinderella Waltz" – Company
"The Ball" – Company
"I Know I Have a Heart" – Cinderella
"Act 2, Scene 2" – The Queen and Prince Sebastian
"I Am No Longer Me" – The Queen and Prince Sebastian
"Moment of Triumph" – The Stepmother, Adele and Marie
"What Were You Thinking?/Introduction to Far Too Late" – Stepmother and Cinderella
"Far Too Late" – Cinderella
"Ego Has a Price" – Marie and Cinderella
"The Wedding March" – The Queen and The Stepmother
"The Ceremony" – The Queen and The Stepmother
"Man's Man" – Prince Charming
"Marry for Love" – Company
"Cinderella's Soliloquy" – Cinderella
"The Wedding Party" – Company
Finale – Cinderella and Prince Sebastian

What awards has Cinderella won?

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is nominated for an Olivier Award. The Olivier Awards will take place on 10 April. Find out more about the 2022 Olivier Awards..

Olivier Awards

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical - Victoria Hamilton Barritt

Grammy Awards

Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album

Fun facts about Cinderella

You may think you know everything about Cinderella. However this Cinderella story is simply unmissable. Here’s some facts you may not know about Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cinderella.

• Two lauded musical theatre composers share the same birthday! Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim were both born on 22 March. Between them, they’ve created dozens of hit musicals. They’ve even wrote stories about Cinderella. Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Cinderella’ features in Into the Woods, while Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cinderella’ is onstage at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

• The Cinderella album includes songs that didn’t make the musical. Listen out for songs such as “"The Vanquishing of the Three Headed Sea Witch" performed by Adam Lambert.

• Cinderella workshops took place at The Other Palace in 2019. The cast included Carrie Hope Fletcher as Cinderella, Tyrone Huntley as Sebastian, Ruthie Henshall as Queen, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as Stepmother, Sophie Isaacs as Adele, and Rebecca Trehearn as Marie.

How to get Cinderella tickets

Don’t wait for the clock to strike midnight! Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella tickets are some of the hottest West End tickets around, so book your seats now and plan a trip to arrive at the theatre in style.

Cinderella tickets are available now. Book tickets to Cinderella on LondonTheatre.co.uk today.