"OOH, it is so sparkly", said a young girl clutching an illuminated wand with one hand and her mum's arm with the other.

She was referring to an eye-catching stage curtain.

A warm, welcoming attraction in itself.

And for the next two hours and 15 minutes it would be 'sparkly' indeed for everyone in the Epstein auditorium which is an ideal venue for pantos.

Sleeping Beauty is their Easter offering and, like their last Christmas show, it is first class entertainment for all ages.

LHK Productions know their audience and this latest panto keeps up its very high standard and enhances their glowing reputation.

It is written by the ever-reliable Michael Chapman who directs the actors while Lee Kelly is producer and production director - a solid, successful team.

It is well-paced, funny and lively (oh, yes, it is and ... sparkly).

There's some famous faces, too, in the six strong line-up who all look as though they are having a ball (which we are all invited to at the end, of course, without giving the game away).

Mr Chapman is Nurse Nellie and really is quite masterful in the role of dame.

His barbed humour works on two levels and he is a major stage presence - especially when he wearily leans against  a wall delivering put-downs and one-liners.

His repartee here is with Silly Billy played by Kyle Corrin - he's a name to look out for.

Energetic and enthusiastic Kyle quickly engages with the youngsters from the minute he arrives on a roller board.

I can see a good future for this talented young man.

Sleeping Beauty is played by the lovely Lucy Edge who is cool and confident throughout.

Her love interest is a former 911 boy band star - likeable Lee Brennan a charming Prince.

He, like all the other memers of the  cast, looks as though he is enjoying every daft minute.

Melanie Ash's Good Fairy has spot-on comic timing.

Carabosse - the wicked witch - is played by Tina Malone who is striking in her dark and dangerous looking dress, lapping up the boos while taunting the audiences.

This is her debut at the Epstein in a career that has seen her trod the boards of all our famous theatres on Merseyside.

She has a cracking manic laugh to shame Vincent Price and she belts out the songs Enough is Enough and Bad with real gusto, surrounded by the fab five senior female dancers.

And well done to the local dance schools who individually and collectively give 100 per cent.

A higlight is a medley of A little Bit More, A Night to Remember and A Woman in Love from Prince Charming and Sleeping Beauty.

Musical director Matt Lawton hits all the right notes and choreographer Holli Jo Bradley never puts a foot wrong.

An extra special 'thumbs up' to the wardrobe team -  yet again the costumes are stunning.

As I left the theatre that young girl looked back at that 'sparkly' stage and she was still smiling.

The Epstein Easter panto has done it again  coming up with a splendid, sunshine-soaked seasonal show.

Top notch.

Globe verdict: Four stars

The show is on until April 23

Tickets from the box office on 0844 888 4411.