... Pinocchio Milford Haven Torch Theatre Company's Pinocchio is a cracker of a Christmas show, beautifully crafted by writer/director Peter Doran, designer Sean Crowley and musical director James Williams, who wrote the original score and lyrics. The talented trio combine their skills to create a gripping, unique interpretation of the well-loved story a musical morality play, high drama ...

... Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Preston It's the stuff that hit musicals or sitcoms are made of Book a TV name with a handsome face and a relative unknown built like a stick insect and watch the latter steal the show. Without Steve Royle he is Mad Edgar at Lancashire theme park Camelot this Duggie Chapman production at the Charter would be in trouble. He starts out lifting the proceedings and ...

... Cinderella Belfast This year's pantomime at the Waterfront Hall is a pale shadow of its previous incarnations. Since the Waterfront opened almost four years ago, the Christmas show has rested in the hands of the Ulster Theatre Company and a rollicking, colourful affair it has been. This year, the baton has been handed on to the Pantoworid company, but even with some of the stars of the past ...

... Dick Whittington Ilford Big, bold, loud and brassy, and all sewn up by a Cockney Fairy ensuring that all the little embryonic Cockneys get the lingo. That's Kenneth More Theatre's Dick Whittington. And very enjoyable it is too. Of course, Ken Livingstone is mentioned (within the first three minutes) and the Dome and Nasty Nick, as you would expect from this vibrant comer of The Smoke. There is ...

... Jack and the Beanstalk Brentwood If you are going to muck about with a pantomime as traditional as Jack and the Beanstalk you had better come up with something wittier and more original than David Baldock manages for the Brentwood Theatre. Too many of the characters lack motivation, and the audience was just waiting for the beanstalk to appear. Finally it did. but only after 20 minutes into ...

... Snow Shoes Plymouth/Touring Magic and mystery fuse to create an exhilarating adventure for children of eight years and under. Despite minimal dialogue, the fun and excitement shout out loud in this bouncy two-handed Pop-up production at the Drum Studio. A simple but effective set cou pled with colourful and interesting costumes guarantee this cleverly crafted show fires the imagination. ...

... Jack and the Beanstalk Bexhill-on-Sea The script at the De La Warr Pavilion does not sparkle with topicality, bearing in mind that youngsters are so well-informed in this age of communications. Traditional is good but today is also relevant. Ted Rogers as Simon, Johnny Dallas as Dame Vera Trot and the enthusiastic children in the audi ence are the strengths of the show. Even so, the company ...

... Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Camberley Here is a spot-on panto at the ArtsLink, carefully directed by Jonathan Linsley and charmingly choreographed by Jackie and Jenny Elsden. It strikes the right balance between story values and custom ary panto routines, and all the musi cal numbers are in the right place which may seem elementary but is not always the case. Panto veteran Peter John is ...

... The Wizard of Oz Aldershot Take a good dose of pantomime slapstick and a well-loved story and mix them together in true style. Robert Hopkins and Ricky Diamond are not only proficient children's entertainers, but also the resident panto hosts at the Princes Hall and their style to encourage the highest level of audience participa tion works wonders. There is never a dull moment when they ...

... Sleeping Beauty Sunderland The problem with this production at the Empire is that it has got no per sonality. Star names it might have, but what it lacks is someone to give it that flash of inspiration and lift it out of its lethargy. With a slow start, the only thing to get excited about in the first half is the evil, wicked Carabosse (Kate Copstick). The rest of the action is eminently ...

... Cinderella Weston-super-Mare Paul Holman Associates' third annual Christmas offering at the Playhouse is the most spectacular yet. Robert Marlowe's production decorates the traditional pan tomime with gorgeous costumes and scenery, a generous line-up of dancers, a delightful transformation scene involving genuine Shetland ponies and Fantaisie en Noir puppets, plus Postman Pat for good measure. ...

... Alice in Wonderland Wellingborough Directed by Daniel Austin and the Castle's sixth Christmas show, this production is very much in the shadow of its predeccessors. In short, the package is a mass of unintelligible shouting, huge amounts of charging about the stage for no rhyme or reason, and scenery which looks like a Blue Peter reject and that, I have to admit, is being kind. This venue has ...