That's exactly what Blackpool's Grand Theatre is staging with Sleeping Beauty which runs until January 5.

All the familiar panto props, personalities and puns are on show in what is a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable musical production.

But it also manages to feature spectacular film-style action via a see-through curtain which doubles up as a cinema screen.

It is used to brilliant effect when the panto wants to move on 100 years and also when the fire-breathing dragon is slain by the handsome prince, played by Shaun Dalton.

The best-known name in Sleeping Beauty is Ruth Madoc, who was Gladys Pugh in the classic TV comedy series Hi-Di-Hi. Her loveable grandmother persona means she fits her good fairy role ideally.

She pits her magic against the evil powers of the bad fairy (Natalie Cleverley) who puts the beautiful princess (Jessica Punch) under a sleeping spell.

In terms of all-round family fun, Lancashire's versatile entertainer Steve Royle surely steals the show.

The comedian-cum-actor-cum-presenter-cum-general-all-rounder is making his fifth consecutive panto appearance at the Grand and his Silly Billy character goes down hilariously with theatregoers both young and old alike.

Ping pong balls (in the mouth), fire sticks (just don't tell health and safety), guitars (though he doesn't do them here) - is there nothing this man can't juggle?

Royle takes part in a humorous take of The Weakest Link in which he goes up against the king, played by Iain Rogerson, whose television work has included Coronation Street.

Douglas Mounce (Dame Nelly) also provides plenty of laughter material in a production which retains the panto tradition but presents it in a hi-tech way. Oh and I nearly forgot to mention that Dr Who's Tardis even makes an entrance.

Martin Hamer