THERE is a change in panto land this year I have noticed. Oh yes I have. And I don't need to look behind me. This is the future for our much-loved festive shows.

The traditional weddings of the main love interests are now switched around.
The emphasis being on the modern adage: ' be yourself... enjoy life and decide on life-long commitments later on.'

It stems from the first Mama Mia film where the central characters surprised us all by having a gap year from marriage.

But there will always be a grand ball - it's just that there are now plot twists and turns and general re-workings.

In Jack and the Beanstalk we have a likeable and studious Jack (Joe Sleight) always with his face in a book.

And his bumbling brother Simple Simon (Sean Jones).

Simon -  not the sharpest lad - had difficulty keeping his dungarees in tact.

Their dottily-devoted mum Dame Trott (Oliver (Brooks) managed a running gag about Jack being her favourite (cue sympathy votes) for Simon.

The Dame enjoyed frequent costume changes as she romanced Tom Sterling's dithering monarch who needed more taxes.

Real life is here.

The casting of Joseph and Sean pays off as these two actors have a track record playing opposites in the touring version of Blood Brothers.

They know how to connect with audiences. As does Fleshcreep (Joseph Elliott) who got his fair share of boos.

There's dancing villagers and a funky Vegetable Fairy (Hayley Tamaddon).

Hayley is a fun filled flashy narrator - looking the pop star in her shades.

Princess Jill ( Rachel Grundy) also speaks and sings her feisty mind to much applause from the junior adults.

Amy Walker was making her drama debut as Sandra Bullock the Cow - she should milk that on her CV.

Although not as lavish in sets as with previous pantos, there is a real visual treat for the youngsters and (let's face it boys and girls) adults, too.

The 3D spectacles were needed for two key segments in the more upbeat and fluent second half.

First we see the Giant and some little creatures coming out of  the screen. And then the now famous 'Ghosties' in the forest scenes.

Shrieks galore dominated the two short but welcome films.

The songs including Abba's Money Money Money, Ghosbusters and Boogie Wonderland were jauntily delivered thanks to the versatile three-piece band.
Sometimes gags disappeared as quickly as they arriived but there are local name checks and even Boris and Nigel Farage were referenced.

Sean Jones, stalwart at the Floral panto in recent years,  presented the final four youngsters on stage for the pre-wedding singalong routine.

Despite a half-baked cake sequence, Sean did manage to find his 'inner Norman Wisdom.'

Full marks to the Hoylake School of Dance with some delightful choreography.
All in all a lively, frenetic ensemble-strong panto where 3D is king.

Verdict

4 Stars
Full of beans

Until January 7