This pantomime really had everything you could want at Christmas, writes Mandy Kitson.

I went with my grandchildren and they could barely contain their excitement as we arrived.

When the show started we were bowled over by the lovely costumes and sets, and although some of props did fall down at one point, they managed to corporate this well into the show.

The whole cast really threw themselves into their parts, including the leading man Gareth Gates as Prince Charming, who showed no hint of the stutter he is famous for. Personally I’m not a massive fan of his singing voice, but the rest of the audience seemed more than happy when he burst into song.

For me Bob Golding as Buttons was the highlight of the panto, he was so true to his character and funny, and my granddaughter loved the fairy godmother. But all the cast deserve praise heaped upon them for the way they interacted with the children and got them into the spirit of the event, with jokes and references popping up about Simon Cowell and Pop Idol, the show that made Gareth famous.

The Ugly Sisters picked on one poor balding man in the front row called Peter. I’m not sure if he was planted there, but they gave him a really hard time and had us in hysterics running up and kissing and slapping his head.

Afterwards we were lucky enough to get to meet the cast and have them sign our programme, which topped off a fabulous evening and one I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat.

In fact Cinderella wasn’t the only one who got her happy ending as we certainly all had a ball.

Alban Arena until January 5.