IT'S panto season once again (oh yes it is!), and this year's festive offering at Lighthouse, Poole, is the classic, magical fairytale, Cinderella.

Produced in-house and directed by children's TV favourite Chris Jarvis, who also stars as the lovelorn hero Buttons, the traditional show brings a host of singing and dancing, corny jokes, local references, hilarious costumes and a touch of Christmas sparkle to the stage.

A packed auditorium sang, cheered and obligingly boo-ed, hissed and called out "it's behind you" in all the right places on opening night, with every single audience member, young and old, guaranteed to leave with a smile on their face.

Bournemouth Echo:

Outnumbered star Tyger Drew-Honey was suitably dashing as Prince Charming in his pantomime debut, while Charlotte Wood made for a loveable Cinderella. Lauren Azania was just fabulous as she belted out all the big numbers as the Fairy Godmother, with Andrew Pollard and Alim Jadavji paired brilliantly as the Ugly Sisters, their outrageous behaviour matched equally by their dress sense – bravo wardrobe team.

Bournemouth Echo:

The consummate professional, Chris Jarvis anchored the show, utterly at home on the Lighthouse stage, his performance only outdone by that of the evening's best double act - the adorable New Forest panto ponies.

It just wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to the panto, and Lighthouse, Poole has come up with a brilliant production, once again. This one has it all – audience participation, adult innuendoes, water pistols, fabulous costumes a, er, sea monster, and a delightful sprinkling of Christmas magic.

An absolute joy from start to finish.

Cinderella runs at Lighthouse, Poole, until December 31.