There are still some tickets left for Nick Cassenbaum’s funny, fast-paced Jewish pantomime, at JW3,Cinderella and the Matzo Ball, accompanied by an effervescent, multi-talented band who are onstage throughout. A perpetual stream of hilariously bad Jewish puns combine with all the panto classics, brilliantly choreographed and perfectly timed, in the tale of Cinderella, who slaves away in a bakery in Yeast Finchley to keep her selfish sisters Milchig and Fleishig in flamboyant style.
Cinders’ loyal friends, Buttons, together with lively bagels (or beigels – the correct pronunciation, according to the programme), croissants and Pita Rabbit, give her emotional support, as she supplies residents of the Kosher Kingdom with the bread and cakes they need.
Drawn to a self-serving Prince Charming (formerly Charminski), Cinderella ends up in the Land of Traif (the opposite of kosher), where she meets a giant prawn and the residents sing about bacon, lobster and oysters – all forbidden foods. Debbie Chazen makes appearances from afar as the Fairy Cob Mother, Fairy Cake, and Emma Barnett-By-Pass’s familiar voice presents the Kosher Kingdom news.
A review can’t capture the mad appeal of this Jewish pantomime for people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs – I’ll just say it cured me of the PTSD I’ve been suffering since visiting the real Kosher Kingdom shop recently. Magic!
Cinderella and the Matzo Ball is at JW3, 341-351 Finchley Road, London NW3 6ET. It runs until 4th January 2026 and you can get tickets here: http://www.jw3.org.uk/panto
Julia Bard 