Since the sad demise of the Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton has been bereft of anything that comes close to a local company producing a classic Christmas show. Now set to fill this gap is the very first seasonal offering from Emporium Theatre, the exciting new grass roots venue on London Road.

Shunning the formulaic “minor TV celebrities sing chart pop songs shoehorned into a story” route, Emporium Theatre has wisely returned to the core of the story of Cinderella with an original script and score created by the multi-talented Nigel Fairs, who also plays the endearing Baron Hardup.

This is a story that incorporates both palpable jeopardy and life-affirming magic in a vivid fight of good versus evil.

Kirstie Maginns’ casual but devastatingly cruel Stepmother is a powerhouse baddy who energises the whole production, underscored by her vocally-gifted stepdaughters Innit and Tho played by the ridiculously talented Lucy Mepsted and Natalie Sexton, the trinity of wickedness is complete.

Meanwhile goodies just don’t get sweeter than Robin Kuhr, whose sassy Prince Charming is set to break many an adolescent heart.

A little rough around the edges, this production won’t appeal to audiences who like their Christmas shows perfectly presented in slick corporate packaging, but if it’s a joyful celebration of superb local talent you’re after this would definitely be the one for you.