If like thousands of families, a trip to the theatre in December or January is a family tradition, those heading to Bath's Theatre Royal in the next few weeks are in for a real Christmas cracker.

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Tracy Beaker and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Dani Harmer stars as Cinders, giving a confident performance as the hard done by daughter whose hideous stepsisters keep her enslaved in the family home. Making those ugly sisters larger than life characters are David Ball and Byron Mondahl with wonderfully over the top costumes , ridiculous make up and plenty of slapstic gags.

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Melanie Walters,famed as the omlette-making mum in television's Gavin and Stacey, takes up the wings of Cinders' fairy godmother and with a sprinkling of humour, she proves why she is in such a funny TV sitcom.

West Country comic Jon Monie returns as Bath's panto jester, this year as Cinders' loyal friend Buttons, and despite missing his long-running co-star, the late Chris Harris, Monie gives one of his best performances to date leading much of the action and interaction with the audience.

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This year Bath has gone all out to impress with a glittering set and miniature Shetland ponies to transport Cinders to the ball. Young performers from the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dancing once again step up to the momentous challenge of pantomime, singing and dancing along with infectious enthusiasm.

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Dazzling costumes, numerous put downs of Bath's least loved areas and a score of reworked pop hits including Taylor Swift's Shake It Off make for a brilliant two-and-a-half hours of pure entertainment guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Cinderella is one of Bath's finest pantomimes. See the show at the Theatre Royal Bath until January 11.

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