Crowds pack into Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn for Cinderella - with pictures

Crowds have been packing into Theatre Severn to see the opening performances of Cinderella in Shrewsbury this weekend. And very few will have left disappointed.

First things first: The set is superb. The most difficult thing with putting Cinderella on as a pantomime is that somehow you have to depict a pumpkin and a mouse turning into a beautiful glittering horse and carriage.

It can make or break the show depending on how well or badly it is done – but here it most definitely makes it.

Without spoiling things too much, the first half of the show ends quite spectacularly as the animatronic horse and accompanying carriage appears and then flies up into the air, all assnow falls from the roof.

The horse and carriage looks great. The snow is just the icing on the cake. It gives a real wow factor which is written all over the faces of the youngsters watching it.

It's clear the show directors have recognised the importance of this scene and invested time and money in it, and it pays off big time.

But what about the cast? Brad Fitt returns to Shrewsbury for the sixth time but this year he isn't dressed as a woman. He instead plays the love struck Buttons who tries and fails to win Cinders' heart.

Fitt is a fantastic pantomime dame, as his many awards will testify. But he is also a brilliant Buttons too and the crowd really warms to him.

Comic Phil Butler, who plays the prince's butler Dandini, has been in panto before in Shropshire at Oakengates Theatre in Telford.

He is given less of a chance to showcase his many talents here than he was there – but there is still some pretty impressive stuff. Plenty of jokes and a bit of balloon modelling.

And his one scene with Buttons, where they communicate using popular board game names, is one of the best in the show.

With Fitt ditching the dress this year, it's down to Ian Smith and Matt Daines to take on the roles of Ugly Sisters Eugenie and Beatrice.

It wouldn't be a panto without a multitude of costume changes, with the best when the pair appear as a complete McDonald's meal. They are the villains here, coming out every time and shouting "Aren't we gorgeous?" to which you can imagine the predictable reply from the crowd.

Radio Shropshire's Eric Smith returns for his 14th panto in Shrewsbury, this time as Baron Hardup.

If you've ever found yourself wanting to see the veteran breakfast show host singing and dancing along to Fleur East's hit Sax – and let's face it, who hasn't – then you are going to be in heaven here. Smith is part of the furniture here now and is always good value and up for a laugh. New faces impress, too. Victoria McCabe (Cinderella), Ryan Bennett (Charming) and Joanne Heywood (Fairy Godmother) all put in strong performances.

It's a top, top show with something for young and old alike. Go and see it.

Cinderella runs at Theatre Severn until January 8, with both afternoon and early evening performances on most days.

Tickets range in price from £11.50 through to £24.

For more information or to book, log onto: heatresevern.co.uk