AS panto villains go, you could not get a meaner or nastier one than the ultimate soap bad boy Nick Cotton.

Actor John Altman’s Fleshcreep was an evil mix of his EastEnders villainous character combined with a touch of Rowan Atkinson’s Blackadder. And the audiences loved it. The booing and hissing could be heard echoing round Hampshire. His rendition of Bad to the Bone was particularly devilish.

Ben Redfern and Mark Siney have returned once again to Fareham after superb pantomime performances last year.

Ben’s Simple Simon character was full of energy and delightfully comical.

Mark yet again squeezed into a pair of high heels and all manner of crazy outlandish costumes, including a baked bean tin, to reprise his role as the Dame.

Jack is played by talented actress Tracey Penn who has a fine singing voice and is equally matched in vocal range by the beautiful Princess Jill (Francesca Leyland).

The biggest surprise of the night was the incredible larger-than-life giant.

Standing at more than 12 feet tall, the menacing lump made an imposing figure slowly moving around the stage bellowing his demands and had my little girl fairly frightened.

Throw in a mix of current songs by Lady Gaga and One Direction, excellent music accompaniment, first class effects and even a fairy from a West Country garden (Michelle White) and Ferneham Hall have another winning formula on their hands with this year’s slick and polished festive show.

  • Jack and Beanstalk runs until January 5, 2014. Tickets are available on 01329 231942 or fernehamhall.co.uk.