IT WAS difficult to believe as I watched one of the first performances of Cinderella at Theatre Royal Winchester that the pantomime had not been running for weeks.

Every inch of the production was polished, well performed and above all cracking good fun.

It was hard to pick out the stellar performance from the cast who each brought tremendous energy, enthusiasm and above all humour to the show.

At times I forgot I was watching a family panto as I roared my way through some of the wonderfully written jokes that were delivered with impeccable timing.

The Fairy, played by Kate Ankers, played the part of narrator with exceptional class while the lead performances of Cinderella and Prince Charming were note perfect.

One of my favourite cameos was that of the wicked stepmother played by Kali Hughes who mastered every inch of the wicked woman managing to keep her husband Baron Hard-up firmly under the thumb with comic aplomb.

The scenes between the two of them often left the audience in stitches particularly when she asked the age old question “What am I always telling you not to do....?

To which a quivering Baron offered “Not to do that in the sink”.

To complete the masterpiece not only did the production have one dame but two, played by Julian Eardley and Clive Flint who had the sort of timing and chemistry that felt as though dressing in flamboyant ladies clothing was something they had been doing their whole lives.

In short the strength of this show was its fabulously written script delivered by a superb cast that has plenty of fun for the kids but is sure to have even the most reluctant of panto goers howling with laughter.