SLEIGH bells jingling… Slade belting out Merry Christmas Everybody… a choir singing Silent Night… and a theatre full of children aged from two to 92 screaming He’s Behind You at a pantomime are four of the most traditional festive things you could wish for, writes Richard Bray

And at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, on Saturday night, the final one on that list was peformed so loudly and with such passion that it could well have been heard across the bay.

Cinderella proved to be a delight from curtain-up to the final bow.

The two-hour production featured some wonderful songs, plenty of fun and laughter, dazzling dancers, stunning costumes and some spectacular scenery and magical lighting effects.

Much of the story was told in the first half, which ended with Cinderella being taken to the ball on a glittering carriage which was pulled by two real-life Shetland ponies.

The second half saw plenty of audience interaction, with the He’s Behind You scene and somewhat chaotic but always brilliant Twelve Days of Christmas going down a storm.

There was also a chance for everybody to show off their vocal chords with several renditions of If Your Happy And You Know It!

Returning to the passion and noise, this reached a crescendo with the audience screaming that Cinderella was locked in a cupboard when it came to trying to find the real owner of the glass slipper.

If it were not for all that noise, and the Prince setting her free, there would have been no happy ending – so well done everybody.

A truly delightful, fun-filled panto for all the family, Cinderella is at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, until January 1.

Read Richard’s full review in the Friday, December 16 edition of the Mid-Devon Advertiser