Thigh-length boots, plenty of innuendo, non-stop corny jokes – it's still panto season in Christchurch as the Highcliffe Charity Players stage their adaptation of Sleeping Beauty.

The fairytale classic has been brought to life in just one fun-filled act for this year's production, following the success of 2021's Treasure Island, which followed a similar format. But, fear not, all the panto favourites are there in abundance – good versus evil, audience participation and lots of singing and dancing.

There's even a delightful twist to the script, by Tom Whalley, showing that princes come in shapes and sizes!

With the impressive costumes, plenty of backdrop changes and slick dance routines, this really is a shining star of a show. Georgina Carter and Bee Chumley played Beauty and Prince Philip the First respectively with bundles of confidence, their voices nicely matched in their romantic duet.

Duncan Reid was full of fun as hapless court jester Chester, while Paul Barrington was brilliantly butch as Queen Camilla Parker-Bike. I particularly enjoyed Stanley Smith's wonderfully wicked performance at Carabosse.

It's so nice to see theatres well-attended once again, and HCP clearly have a very loyal, very vocal following. The audience didn't hesitate when it came to playing their part, making for a great atmosphere throughout the show.

The jokes and puns really were non-stop, with some clever, topical references thrown in too.

Loads of fun for all the family, another great quality production from HCP which, once again will be donating profits from the panto to local charities, having raised more than £200,000 for good causes in its 50-year history.