Youngsters enjoy a magical Milkshake moment at Shrewsbury

First there is a look of confusion, perhaps slight disbelief in what they are seeing. Then, a look around to Mum or Dad for reassurance. And finally, excitement and joy takes over.

For these innocent youngsters, their role models are not world leaders or giants of history – but TV characters such as Noddy and the Bananas in Pyjamas.

So it's hardly surprising that there were looks of awe on the faces of children throughout Theatre Severn's packed auditorium when Channel 5's Milkshake! Live Party Party rolled into town.

Quite simply, the show was a riot from start to finish, with loud music, lots of dancing and plenty of audience participation engineered by energetic presenters Amy Thompson and Derek Moran.

The story was set on Milkshake Monkey's birthday, and one by one Thompson and Moran welcomed stars of shows in the Milkshake! stable on to the stage such as the Little Princess, Toby and Delores, and Tommy and Tallulah, each with their own unique act to prepare for a surprise birthday party.

But due to the efforts of everyone to keep the party a surprise, Milkshake Monkey thought no-one had remembered his birthday and sadly wandered away.

Order was restored at the start of the second half when the monkey was found – and the festivities were able to get under way. In truth, despite the best efforts of Thompson and Moran, the sell-out audience was a little slow to engage during the first half of the show.

But the turning point came shortly after the interval, when bubbles were released from high up at the top of the auditorium.

Children, almost as one, pointed upwards excitedly.

And from that moment – if they weren't already – they were hooked.

The best – perhaps only – way to judge such shows is by how the children react.

My two-year-old eldest son Gareth was dancing with the girl sat next to him for almost the whole show – and they'd never clapped eyes on each other before.

It's a big Milkshake thumbs-up from me.

Peter Kitchen