IT was a magic night of laughter and wonder as cast and crew got into full swing for panto season.

There were genuinely hilarious scenes where the crowd were screaming with laughter and the music and special effects made for a fantastic show.

Ray Quinn’s natural charm and charisma should prove to be a real coup for the venue if this showing was anything to go by.

His beaming smile was infectious throughout at and when props misbehaved or people shouted things out the former X Factor and Dancing on Ice star showed he could ad lib to great comedy effect.

His duet with his princess for the song A Whole New World, from the Aladdin film, was made all the more entertaining with the couple riding on a magic carpet through the stars.

Former Crackerjack star Don Maclean got all the big laughs as Widow Twankey but Tim Flavin was also a classy bad guy as Abanazar.

The costumes and spot-on choreography with some great dancing scenes broke up the drama and added to the sense of occasion .

And the night was topped off when a member of the audience took to the stage to propose…and his girlfriend said yes.