A LITTLE bit of magic goes a long way, especially at this time of year.

And magic is certainly bursting at the seams at South Hill Park this Christmas with this year’s pantomime, Cinderella, bound to delight audiences young and old.

Written by Bart Lee and directed by Adam Stafford, with music by Ron McAllister, the theatre’s festive fare is full of fun, enthusiasm and charm that is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of even the staunchest of Scrooges.

Simple but cleverly done, the crowd made up mostly of little ones, was mesmerised from the get-go as the cast bounced and pranced around – though the excitement certainly wasn’t limited to the younger audience members as I definitely spotted some older viewers visibly giddy in their seats throughout the show!

The affable Buttons and feisty Fairy Godmother warmed the audience up with just the right dose of cheekiness – the kind that will leave Mum and Dad giggling but the youngsters none the wiser – while the villainous Octavia and vulgar Tatiana steal the show as the Ugly Sisters, with their quick one-liners, rapport with the audience and all-round nastiness.

Rose Crawforth plays the part of the meek and poorly-treated Cinderella perfectly while the handsome and polished Steve Banks, steps smoothly into the role of Prince Charming.

The classic fairy-tale romance was always going to enrapture the audience, but this take is certainly one of the best with a lot of laughter along the way.

The performance is full of quirks and hilarity and costumes, chases and carriages galore – as well as a fantastic dance off giving a modern twist, which the crowd loved.

So treat yourself to an early Christmas present and get yourself down to South Hill Park for a warm and feel-good evening, perfect when it’s rainy and freezing outside.

n Cinderella is at the Wilde Theatre at South Hill Park, Bracknell, until January 3.

To book tickets call 01344 484123 or visit www.southhillpark.org.uk