STAGE REVIEW: Sleeping Beauty - at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, from Thursday, December 15 to Sunday, January 8, 2017.

PANTOS are, by their very essence, meant to provide barrow-loads of fun for all the family and this one not only hits the spot it also goes a shade further with a shed-load of festive treats.

Year on year the offerings at Malvern almost defy belief in the standards they have set and maintained, and this this time round the ingredients thrown into the mixing bowl were totally scrumptious.

Not even the disappointment of the first night loss of Eastenders star Gillian Wright due to illness - a severe cold and loss of voice, could spoil the enjoyment that was clearly appreciated by a full house totally prepared to enter the complete spirit of a British pantomime.

Stepping in as a very late replacement was the show’s executive director, Anthony Williams, whose portrayal of the wicked witch, Carabosse, was quite exceptional even though he had to perform with the security blanket of a script in hand.

He does have a considerable theatre pedigree with numerous credits for directing and choreographing top shows and musical concerts throughout the UK and abroad. If he wants to do a little more acting I’ll happily sign the petition!

Extremely young voices were to the fore as various elements of the tale unfolded such as the traditional kitchen and deep in the dark forest scenes, with one child wanting no prisoners towards the end when the audience was asked - “What shall we do with Carabosse?” Anthony Williams clearly made quite an impression…

Plenty of others impressed too such as show director Chris Pizzey, who was in his element and clearly having plenty of fun as Silly Billy, as was everyone around him including a totally over-the-top panto dame played by Quinn Patrick.

His Nanny Glucose was an absolute tonic to such an extent that one rare script glitch on opening night was perfectly glossed over before he delivered one of the punch-lines of the show!

He also made good use of the audience - especially George in the second row. who was his, or rather her boyfriend for the night - much to everyone’s delight. In fact George could have made himself more useful by helping to fight the Dragon, one of several good special effects, instead of leaving the Prince (David Barrett) to fight alone.

The Prince had a pleasingly strong voice, along with Mark Llewelyn Evans as King Colin, who cut a good comical figure, and Milkshake's Amy Thompson, the alluring Sleeping Beauty, Briar Rose. And there was also a a very fine fairy, Rebecca Wheatley’s stylish Good Fairy. Rebecca is a well known face from television's Casualty and Holby City, while she also has two Top 10 singles to her credit.

Throw into the mix the quality dancing of the inimitable Cecilia Hall Dance Centre students and you can appreciate how much entertainment value there is on offer.

Enjoyable, entertaining and memorable for all the right reasons. It's proved to be one Christmas treat for all who have been and one to look forward to for future audiences.