Jack and the Beanstalk: Gala Theatre Durham

WITH last year's Cinderella a record-breaking run to crank up the pressure, what a fun-packed night for the whole family, with non-stop laughs and madcap mayhem from start to finish, has been placed at the top of the beanstalk this year by co-creators, directors and stars Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley.

The traditional story has been placed very close to home with Jack, played by Jamie Brown, having to save Spennymoor by returning the amazing amulet of Auckland to its rightful place with the help of Silly Simon (Paul Hartley), his Mother, Dame Trott (Paul Dunn), while trying to save Princess Jilliana (Sarah Boulter) and Fairy Moonflower (Sally Collett).

All the characters really found their feet quickly thanks to the well-considered script and there is no better baddie in the business than Armstrong, who was superb as the villain Fleshcreep. Hartley is absolutely hilarious as Silly Simon, while Dunn's Dame Trott ensured that the rafters rocked with jokes and innuendo, which the whole family found an absolute joy

Months of effort and suggestions have gone into ensuring the music, songs, dancing, special effects and set designs are first class, and the magic figure of 30,000 attending the Gala is really in sight thanks to one of the best pantos you’re likely to see this festive season.

* Runs until Saturday, January 7. Box Office: 03000-266-600 or galadurham.co.uk

* There is a British sign Language performance on Thursday, December 15, at 7pm and a "relaxed" performance, welcoming children with special needs, autistic spectrum conditions or learning disabilities, on Wednesday, January 4, at 6pm.

Steve Wetton