CINDERELLA PAVILION

Reviewed by: Jackie Caffrey and her children Ben, 8, and Mia, 3.

AS someone once said to me, children are an invaluable gauge for panto enjoyment - no reviewer should be without one or two!

Well, I took along two, and the saying bums on seats' came to mind as we took in the Pavilion's panto, Cinderella. My children sat enthralled throughout the performance, which is no mean feat, in what was once again a great show catering for the whole family with the usual mix of jokes, capers and musical treats.

Back for another season was the king of panto Dean Park, who looked at ease as one of the ugly sisters with sidekick Derek Lord.

The reality show bandwagon rolled on in the form of former X Factor contestant Nikitta as Cinderella and former Big Brother winner Cameron Stout returned to the Pavilion for a second year to play Prince Charming.

Real Radio star Cat Harvey was also back this year and played the Fairy Godmother. Of course a few Real Radio gags were thrown into the mix for older theatre goers.

The unmistakable voice of River City star Joyce Falconer echoed around the theatre - she was great as the wicked stepmother.

The audience were also treated to a stunning performance from Ukrainian Yuliya Popova, a gymnast and circus star who dangles upside down on thin, silk ribbons and makes dramatic drops to the ground - and contorts her body like a soft toy. It was amazing to watch.

Overall this was a great show and great fun for all the family. Until January 26th. Tickets £14-£16 adults/ £13 conc, £52 for a family of four. Box office 0141 332 1846.

Info: www.pavilionpanto.com

SLEEPING BEAUTY, King's Reviewed by: Garry Scott with kids Finlay, 7, and Annie, 5.

IT'S the biggest and the best, and it's back better than ever this year. From the opening scene - the dramatic, sexy and quite scary arrival of wicked witch Carrion, played with all her evil heart by Monarch of the Glen favourite Dawn Steele, this glittering production of Sleeping Beauty rarely puts a foot wrong.

Gerard Kelly captivates the kids as Chester the Jester with some truly terrible jokes and although he is fast becoming a panto legend at the King's, he's met his match in Karen Dunbar, who plays Nanny Begood.

Gallus Karen steals the show and executive producer Elaine C Smith must be looking on with pride (and maybe a wee bit of jealousy too... Karen is that good.) This retelling of the classic story of the princess who is put to sleep for 100 years by a wicked witch before being rescued by a prince's kiss had my kids booing and laughing at all the right bits.

There are a number of outstanding scenes, particularly the Scottish version of the 12 Days of Christmas... eight sausage suppers, three Forfar bridies... which on the night we were there saw a bundle of toilet rolls fly out of Karen's hands - quite accidentally - and land at showbiz legend Johnny Beattie's feet.

He got a nice round of applause as he threw them back. It was a lovely moment - the passing of the toilet roll from one showbiz generation to the next!

Karen was at the heart of all the hilarity and the pastiche of Scotland's Goat Talent where she reverted to her school teacher character to pick a prince for Sleeping Beauty, was priceless.

We could have done without the music from TV show Friends as a signature tune, which seemed slightly dated and there wasn't enough from the brilliant Gavin Mitchell - Boaby from Still Game.

We've enjoyed the last three King's Theatre pantomimes and this was the best yet... oh, yes it was! Until January 12th. Tickets £6.50-£21.50 from 0870 060 6648. Info: www.theambassadors. com/kings

EETING BEAUTY Tron

Reviewed by: Yvonne Flynn and her daughter Phoebe, 10.

THERE'S been many a panto over the years I've endured rather than really enjoyed.

The child - usually long past her bedtime - ends up fidgety and fed-up thanks to stars who overegg every pudding and drag out a predicatable diet of corny jokes, slapstick, dud songs and happy ever after.

Yes, it can be fun in places, but on balance it feels like just another box ticked in the parenting manual chapter Run-up to Christmas'.

Not so Eeting Beauty at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.

OK, it may not be as lavish a production as at some other city theatres but not one inch of this show is fidget material. From the moment the curtain rises, a small but confident cast take their audience on an extravaganza of colour, song and laughter.

It's no traditional panto and maybe that's part of its joy. Sleeping Beauty is consigned to 100 years of eating after her gums are pricked with a toothbrush, the prince, charming enough but definitely no David Beckham, falls in love with a - wait for this - pig and the fairy godmother figure takes up with the villain. Panto gets a reality check and it's much the better for it.

But for all its modern twists and turns Eeting Beauty delivers plenty for the purists. It's choc-a-bloc with toilet humour which, though I can't personally abide, seems to have anyone under the age of 12 - together with men - falling about the aisles. Simple things.

And oh yes there is some "oh no you don'ts" and a "he's behind you" or two. But it's all in just the right amount of small doses.

The dancing is a delight, the many scene changes slick and the costumes simple but effective.

The night, however, belongs to the cast, every one of them a star.

Myra McFadyen as the ageing Faerie Fumblethistle owns the stage as if it's her back yard. She is loveable and very very funny. Mark Prendergast as Prince Nameless is sheer class - especially in song - while Katrina Bryan as the sweet Princess Bess and Barrie Hunter as the evil Bobby Bumbleerie are equally superb. And every kid in the land will just want to take Leah MacRae as Porky the Pig home with them.

It was still long past her bedtime but the 10-year-old declared Eeting Beauty brilliant.

Her only complaint? That the princess didn't wear a sparkly dress in the finale. I guess some traditions just shouldn't be messed with. Until January 6. £6.50 for matinees, £10-£16.50 adults/£6-£8 concessions, from 0141 552 4267. Info www.tron.co.uk

PETER PAN Citizens

Reviewed by: Ken McNab with wife Susanna, kids Jennifer, 16, Christopher, 13, and niece Rebecca Cullen, aged 4.

Shiver me timbers, fearties, and splice the mainbrace. There be pirates aplenty at The Citizens - although they sound more Cardonald than Caribbean, to be honest.

And Captain Hook owes a little to Johnny Depp/Jack Sparrow's swagger.

Otherwise, though, this is a faithful adaptation of J.M.

Barrie's famous children's story. And one that fairly ripples with adventure, fun and some nice special effects.

The Citizens may not have the budget of bigger venues - or the stellar names to light up the stage.

But this is a panto that hits the mark for kids without any in-jokes for the adults. Another big plus is that the scary moments won't leave your little cherubs sleeping with the light on later. Canadian Robbie Towns is an athletic Peter, bringing a zest and grace to the part. Top marks also go to Andy Clark, doubling up as George Darling and the redoubtable Hook, Helen Mallon as a feisty Wendy and Billy Mack as a delightfully dopey Smee.

Susanna's four-year-old niece Rebecca was at her first panto and her starry-eyed reaction summed up what a fun production this is.

My only minor gripe is that the cast could do more to get the audience to join in. Give it some welly, lads.

That apart, this is a tour de force by a company that always puts on a show to remember. So set sail for The Citz and you'll find a panto that will have you Hooked from beginning to end. Dean Park, Derek Lord and Cat Harvey in Cinderella Karen Dunbar, Gerard Kelly and Dawn Steele in Sleeping Beauty Katrina Bryan as Princess Bess in Eeting Beauty Captain Hook (Andrew Clark) and Smee (Billy Mack) Jane McCarry

RUMPLESTILTSKIN Oran Mor Reviewed by: Maureen Ellis DAVID MacLennan's jaunty introduction to Rumplestiltskin is an anarchic indicator of what lies in wait.

"Come back and see a different show next week," he quips, adding that most of the funnies will have entirely changed.

And so the introduction to the alternative lunchtime panto feast begins, audiences thrown head-first into Andy Gray's musical vision of the fairytale that's more camp MacDonald Bros than macabre Brothers Grimm.

We meet Windy, Wendy and Bendy Miller, the foam-headed, corny joke-telling clan - consisting of George Drennan, Jane "Isa" McCarry and Colin "Taggart" McCredie respectively - who must perform the King's panto every year or suffer the same fate as their banished mother, Glenda.

The arrival of "baw-faced baddie" King Dave Anderson - regal in dyed beard and eyebrows - and his glamorous handmaidens, heralds a black cloud on their cartoon Glasgow horizon, as he deems their act too cheap for his royal palate.

If only an impish figure from oop north - able to spin their cringe-worthy gags into comic gold - was on hand to deliver them from banishment.

Lo and behold, the crotchety Cyrano de Bergerac-esque Rumplestiltskin inspires a magical transformation of the trio, who get even more giggles from the audience thanks to a forgotten prop, missed cues and bumbling lyrics that haven't yet become panto classics.

More than 100 eager viewers packed into the West End venue to indulge in A Panto, A Pie And A Pint - of which the Evening Times is media partner - for an alternative bash that sends up the bigger venues in style and is to blockbuster stage productions what Poundland is to department stores: cheap and oh-so cheerful.

Recent BAFTA Scotland winner Jane McCarry is sensational as head girl Wendy, while Rita McGurn's design adds a splash of sunshine to a gloomy December day.

A perfect panto pick-me-up for grown-ups just don't tell the children. Please note this production is suitable for teens and over. Until December 22, at 1.05pm. Tickets £10 including pie and drink available from 08700 600 100. Info: www.oran-mor.co.uk

JACK & THE BEANSTALK Cumbernauld Theatre

Reviewed by: Helen Smith, her son Adam, 4, and Adam's friend Matthew Hoy, also 4, right.

IT WAS when the lights dimmed and the spooky music started that this production really took off.

As Adam hid behind his seat and Matthew peered over the top, green smoke swirled across the stage and a booming, gigantic voice bellowed around the theatre.

The appearance of the giant was the high point of this entertaining, easy to follow tale of Jack the dreamer (a fresh-faced David Ashwood), his desperate mother (a very, very funny Calum Beaton), and their antics as they are cheated by Mr Monbodo (charming and rakish Andy Corelli) who takes their cow for a handful of "magic beans".

They were joined by the excellent, multi-talented Chris Alexander, who took on the twin roles of Bingo, the broken-hearted clown, and the fearsome giant.

He made the most of his Mischief Las Bas mime work as Bingo while at the same time striking fear into my two young reviewers as he Fee Fi Fo Fummed his way around the stage.

And it was his appearance as the giant which brought on the loudest reaction from a very involved audience.

Young and old alike hissed ad booed, cheered and screamed as the erstwhile Jack escaped from the giant's castle, lost his heart to the beautiful Stella (a much under-used Pauline King), defeated the giant and made his fortune.

The whole thing was topped off with great lighting, sound and an atmospheric score. Until December 28th. Tickets are £11, (£9 concession, £8 for children and family ticket £30). Box office 01236 732887. Info: www.cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk

CINDERELLA Motherwell Theatre

Reviewed by: Lenny and Alison Warren, and daughters Amy, 9, and Katie, 5, right.

I DON'T normally tell people this, but I'm a Lanarkshire boy. So it was with more than a touch of sentimentality that I headed off to watch this year's pantomime, Cinderella at Motherwell Theatre.

The last time I saw a panto here was more than 20 years ago. The years have passed, my hair is a touch greyer and I now have kids of my own, but is the magic of panto still alive and well outside of the big cities? Would I find the pure spirit of pantomime, making kids, whether eight or 80, laugh?

Motherwell Theatre isn't as grand or as large as some but once the house lights go down and the curtain comes up, you are treated to an experience that is as good as any you will find. The costumes, lighting and scenery are first class and the production superb.

This year's cast of Elaine MacKenzie Ellis (Tina the taxi driver from Me Too) as the Fairy Godmother, comedian Bruce Devlin and Motherwell favourite John Hannibal as the Ugly Sisters, and Paul Harper-Swan as Prince Charming gave a superb performance, with loads of laughs for the whole audience.

For my kids, the star of the show was undoubtedly Ashley Vallance who was excellent as Buttons. Watch out for a special moment when Buttons changes into a certain rock 'n' roll star, I haven't laughed so much in years.

There are plenty of in-jokes, whether it be about the local area or topical events, but these never alienate non-locals, there is always another good joke following it. Judging by the laughter of the whole audience, and my two children, this panto was ideal for young kids, something that some productions forget.

Overall, this was an excellent night out for the whole family, and well worth braving a cold winter night to head out to Lanarkshire.

Has the Motherwell panto changed since my last visit all those years ago? Not really, it still makes the whole family laugh and proves that, like turkey and falling asleep in front of The Great Escape, pantomime is an essential part of the great British Christmas. Until January 5. Tickets priced £8.50-£11 (discounts for six tickets or more) available from 01698 302991.