Sleeping Beauty, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre panto - review and pictures
It is a delight for all the family - from the youngsters all the way up to the grandparents in the audience.
Yes the annual Wolverhampton Grand Theatre pantomime is back with more glam, loffs, singing, dancing and magic than ever before.
Oh no it isn't! Oh yes it is!
You can always tell you're back in pantoland when a much-loved children's entertainer, his puppets and magician's assistant-come-Strictly Come Dancing superstar take to the stage with a man in drag and the Queen of the Black Country Doreen Tipton is in a nurses outfit.
This year the Grand Theatre is pulling out all the stops to give families a cracking Christmas evening out with their production of Sleeping Beauty – with charming sets, fabulous song and dance routines, bright and colourful costumes and even a flying dragon.
And it certainly doesn't disappoint.
Television, radio and stage performer Debbie McGee is first to appear, floating on stage in the of the Lovely Fairy Crystal.
She is charming and lovely by name and lovely by nature in her role as Princess Beauty's Fairy Godmother. She even gets chance to show off the ballroom skills she picked up from last year's Strictly in the odd dance number or two.
Next we see children's entertainer Richard Cadell as Muddles the Court Jester with his trusted side-kick, the nation's favourite yellow bear puppet Sooty.
The two are a delight for the younger members of the audience with their magic tricks and there's even a surprise appearance from Sooty's partner in crime, Sweep the little grey dog.
Back for a third panto at the Grand is Ian Adams starring as Queen Wilhelmina. There's nothing like a dame in a big wig and glam-tastic costume – particularly one that nods to Wolves' Premier League glory, backed by dancers in the famous old gold kit.
Everyone's favourite Lazy Cow of the Black Country also returns as Nurse Doreen. Her attitude and humour is a stark contrast to the over-the-top and in-your-face pantomime you're used to, which makes her even funnier than usual. She's a popular character with the older members of the audience - with scene-stealing performances including her magic trick and my personal favourite moment, her Queen of the Black Country Christmas speech.
Oliver Ormson as Prince Harry and Bethan-Wyn Davies as Princess Beauty are perfect as the loved-up couple and give stunning performances of Greatest Showman tracks Rewrite the Stars and A Million Dreams, while Julie Paton as the evil Carabosse is the classic panto villian receiving plenty of boos from the audience.
Sleeping Beauty is high energy and infectiously good fun from the moment the curtain goes up in act one.
There is a constant stream of local references to please all Black Country folk and an impressive flying dragon swooping over the audiences head is a spectacular sight.
Sleeping Beauty runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until January 13.
For tickets visit the Wolverhampton Grand website.
