Glitterballs, a panto horse, toe-tapping numbers and punchy dialogue – this show has it all and the audience, young and old alike, were treated to an unforgettable night's entertainment.
Producer Nan McDonald has worked her magic once more, peppering the show with local references – high-flying Bo'ness United are among those to get a namecheck – and up-to-date quips involving Strictly Come Dancing and Sir Alan Sugar.
The action takes place in the village of Stoneybroke, which actually looks an idyllic place to live, thanks to the gorgeous backdrops. Emmy Young gives an assured performance as the debt-ridden Baron Horace Hardup, being taken to the cleaners by his gold-digging new wife Hatty (Hannah Johnstone).
Swanning in to the family pile of the baron and his daughter Cinderella, Hatty brings two daughters in tow, Gertrude (Kirsten Miller) and Grizelda (Finlay Reynolds). These 'ugly sisters' steal the show with their flourescent hairdos and witty put-downs.
Ladylike they are not, but both are out to snare a guy, with the royal hunt – confidently proclaimed by Jordan Hardy as Chambers – turning into a man hunt!
Even Prince Charming (regally played by Kristina Lowe) can't be too charming in trying to fend off their unwanted advances.
But the pressure is on for him to find a lady, with the King having declared he is to be wed within a month.
And so Prince Charming swaps identities with his valet Dandini (the sunny Coleen Gray) and meets Cinderella, with the pair hitting it off right away. But interrupted, Cinderella (the talented Sarah Birch) flees without the Prince getting her name and a plan for a Royal Ball ensues.
Spreading her magic dust and ensuring that our heroine can ditch her workclothes and dance the night away is everyone's favourite fairy, the excellently-cast Rachel Moyle.
Page boy Buttons (Ross McDonald, making the role his own) scrubs up nicely too and escorts Cinders in her fairytale coach while aching to declare his feelings for her.
But it's the Prince who catches Cinder's eye again at the ball, and a sparkling shoe leads him to her arms again.
The happy finale also sees the Baron keep his home, which had been earmarked for a luxury hotel by property developers (the comic trio of Lucy King, Francesca Donnachie and Sara Paton).
Even Buttons is left smiling in this feel-good family panto penned by Alan Frayne. New choreographer Kirsty Mawhinnie has quickly made her mark with the enthusiastic band of dancers deftly switching from tap to ballet to gymnastic routines.
There's magnificent singing and dancing from the towns-people, costumes are superb and the backing tracks prepared by David McDonald sashay from Here Come The Girls to Bob the Builder.
The new addition to the Children's Theatre of a panto horse (brilliantly co-ordinated by Lara Paterson and Hajar Zaki) is a winner and clever lighting and sound make the night go with a bang.
Crammed with many memorable moments, stand-out scenes have to include the kitchen baking mayhem, fairy dust being sprinkled by the dancers and a hilarious shoe-fitting.
The aud-ience is involved throughout, even managing a rendition of The Proclaimers' 500 Miles!
Tickets priced £8 (£7) for tonight and tomorrow's shows at 7.30pm are like gold dust and going fast – call Bill McDonald on 01324 712443.
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