After 18 years as the resident villain on Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood is no stranger to embracing typecasting. Over the festive season, he combines his fondness of being the baddie with his penchant for drag to dazzling effect as Baroness Demonica Hardup, aka the wicked stepmother in Cinderella at the Bristol Hippodrome.
Bringing a touch of high calibre West End glamour to panto proceedings, it's a pleasure to watch Craig sashay his way across the stage, towering quite literally above the rest of the cast with a succession of incredible gowns trimmed in acres of ruffles, fringes and sequins. He gamely scowls - and occasionally grimaces - his way through several numbers, demonstrating the full breadth of his talents, belting I Will Survive in a true diva fashion, and even taking on a front-cloth comedy canon number with flawless timing.
Befitting of her status, Baroness Hardup arrives in style on a golf buggy with the number plate 'fab-u-lous', and this catchphrase, along with Strictly’s famous theme tune, is employed liberally throughout the show. Putting his merengue where his mouth is, the audience is also treated to Craig's fancy footwork as he tackles the Charleston, as well as a bit of bumping and grinding, all with unshakable poise.
