It’s so rare, at this time of the theatrical year, to come across a show with real emotions, rather than the customary Christmas confection that is the dramatic equivalent of E‑numbers.
Yet Ben Power and Melly Still have come up with a haunting, rich, romantic retelling of the fairytale that made me cry real tears, rather than the sobs of frustration more common in this season.

There’s no time for panto shenanigans or men in bad drag here. Instead Power and Still, who also directs, give us credible people in a believable situation in extraordinary surroundings.

The setting is the wintry “far, far north”, a place of frosted landscapes and twisted branches, where Norwegian ice musician Terje Isungset plays intriguing instruments and the Queen holds a Snow Festival Ball (to which we’re all invited in the interval) to find a bride for her son.

There are all sorts of sophisticated storytelling techniques.Cinderella even rewinds the narrative at one point. More important are the superbly honest performances from the six‑strong cast.

Daniel Weyman is a charming playboy prince, working his lazy way through all the eligible girls in the realm. Elizabeth Chan’s sweet, delicate, stubborn Cinders convinces instantly that she would have the ingenuity to get herself to the ball, rather than rely on a Disneyfied fairy godmother. Two beautiful, highly recommended hours.
Until 3 January (0871 22 117 22, www.lyric.co.uk).