Having very recently reviewed three excellent amateur productions of this most popular of Christmas shows, I looked forward to experiencing a professional production.

I wasn’t disappointed. In the title role, Leah Lloyd impressed with her effervescent personality and lovely voice, although not always clearly heard when positioned further back on the stage.

Scott Alexander also has a fine singing voice and performed admirably as Prince Charming, forming a fine double-act with Anthony Mills (Dandini).

Jack Tutt was also well-cast, his funny faces and madcap posturing as lovesick Buttons being a highlight, among many.

I particularly liked Chevin Dash (Fairy Godmother), given plenty of scope to display her fine voice. Jim Wringe (Tequila) and Jay Beaumont (Rose) were hilarious as the Ugly Sisters double-act, always a feature of the show, but no pantomime is ever complete without the boo-hiss character of the Evil Step-mother, and Chiara Castania fitted the bill impressively, although she did get the, sadly sparse, audience on-side (temporarily) with an all-action version of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way.

The show was opened and closed by the precocious talent of young Nicholas Nutt’s Pantaloon, surely one for the future.

All the songs were all well-chosen, with some clever changes to lyrics to reflect the story-line, including Love is an Open Door from, inevitably, Frozen, and a particularly clever show-closing rewrite of Kelly Clarkson’s My Life would suck without you.

Director Richard Stride’s show never flagged and had lots to commend it, the main performers apart; Heather Uden’s musical accompaniment was always spot-on, lighting and scenery, with super-smooth changes, (presumably credit to Technical Stage Manager Steph Hutchins) and colourful costumes (Sarah Laker).

Last but by no means least, Leah Lloyd combined her role as Cinderella with skilfully choreographing numerous, excellent dance sequences, and local belly-dancing troupe The Just Dandys added spice to the proceedings.