Television soap operas are still a vital breeding ground for pantomime casts and Danny Miller, fresh from Emmerdale, makes a decent debut as a handsome Prince Charming, showing he can actually act.

Milkshake cast member Amy Thompson as Cinders looks like member of the Middleton family so takes to her royal role perfectly and prettily - even if a boost to her vocals would be useful.

Steve Royle (Buttons) has notched up 10 years here so far and is as fresh and funny as ever, even making the genre’s sometimes more tedious interludes well worth watching.

Making her professional pantomime debut, Hayley Kay is perfect as the Fairy Godmother. Great facial expressions and comic timing help make her an instant winner.

Surprise Guys double act Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph breathe fresh air into the outrageously costumed but frequently far from ugly sisters Silly Cilla Hardup and Lady Gaga Hardup.

The score is a typical fusion of chart hits and old favourites. No panto this year is complete without PSY’s cheesy Gangnam Style but Spamalot’s send-up ballad I’m All Alone is catching up fast.

Katie Hill’s choreography for “the villagers” and Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre youngsters is crisp and modern.