THE cast and crew down at Middlesbrough Theatre have pulled it off once again this year.

Extravaganza Productions has excelled itself with this year’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which is filled with humour, singing, drama and amazing sets and costumes that will rival any other seasonal show across the region.

Extravaganza, comprising renowned actor and designer David Vickers and singer, dancer and director Richard Chandler, has provided the Christmas entertainment at Middlesbrough Theatre for countless years.

And it is obvious to see why.

The scripts and scenes are beautifully written, the jokes plentiful, and the song, dance and audience participation in abundance throughout.

If the children are not hoarse by the time the final curtain comes down, the adults certainly are.

Actress Claire King, of Emmerdale and Bad Girls fame, was back again this year to play Wicked Queen Morgana, and such was the strength of her performance, despite being the baddie, she very nearly stole the show.

However, I think favourite on the night was Muddles the Jester, played by the versatile Lee Goode, pictured right, and Nurse Hattie Glucose (Philip Meeks), whose boundless energy and perfect comedic timing had everyone joining in and shouting for more.

It was perhaps their hilarious rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas, along with the ultraviolet Mosaic Puppets, that will live longest in the memories of my two young sons.

However, there were no weak links in this production, with every cast member a star in their own right, including the children, who played the dwarfs.

Jessica Robinson, who was fifth in BBC1’s Over the Rainbow, returned to her native Middlesbrough to play Snow White, while Anthony Cotton, Coronation Street’s Sean Tully, made a surprise virtual appearance as the excellent and very camp Mirror Spirit.

All in all, it was a splendid production.

As my youngest said the following morning: “Please can we go and watch Snow White again today?”

That, I think, says it all.

• Until Sunday, January 8, 2012. For tickets, call the box office on 01642-815181.