From Cinderella’s lively opening song about the theatre, the scene is firmly set in the city. And being the home of the nation’s favourite soap, we get a trip down the Corrie cobbles, with a sinister twist on the theme tune at the entrance of this year’s pantomime villains.

In Connor McIntyre, as Ugly Sister, Phelina, the Opera House pantomime may have bagged the biggest villain of them all. Known best as Coronation Street’s murdering, Pat Phelan, McIntyre’s towering presence is enough to scare the mums and dads, never mind the little ones. However, when paired with veteran entertainer, Les Dennis, his menace is tempered to pitch perfect. As my six-year-old theatre buddy shouted at the dastardly double act: ‘Boo, double boo (and to McIntyre’s Phelina) triple boo to you!’

Les Dennis, who started his career as a comedian, has a wonderful warmth on stage. As the villainous Michaela, we sense in another life she might be one of life’s good guys and is being reluctantly dragged along by her evil twin. Together the sisters are both hideous and hilarious, channeling Corrie’s Bet Lynch with their big hair and outrageous costumes.

But while the sisters may be the comedy queens of the show, the king’s crown goes to Rochdale comedian, Ben Nickless as Buttons. His dynamism fuels the whole show with laughter for all ages, bringing a host of famous faces to the party with his quick changing impressions.

For little-ones, Cinderella is the true star and Shannon Flynn’s princess builds instant rapport with the youngsters who recognise her from CBBC’s Friday Download and Shout Out Saturday.

Gareth Gates makes a sweet and unassuming Prince Charming, showing unexpected comedy talent in some of the show’s best slapstick moments. A real treat at the ball is hearing him sing the Righteous Brothers, Unchained Melody, with which he had a hit following his runner-up success in Pop Idol 2002.

Soul singer, Hayley-Ria Christian is another fine voice as Fairy Godmother sprinkling her magical fairy dust with every firework entrance, so everyone enjoys the ball.

And what a ball it is – the first act closes with Cinderella’s carriage, pulled by flying white horses, hovering high above the stalls. After that there’s still an hour of spectacle to go and I won’t spoil the surprise in Button’s parcel – enough to say it’s another treasure in this gift of a pantomime.

Cinderella is at The Opera House, Manchester from 8-30 December 2018.

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Now, aged 19, she is the star of a new children’s Christmas show from Salford-based company, Colour the Clouds, the first festive show commissioned by the Lowry as part of its Associate Artist’s programme.

It’s a big leap from singing live to fronting a stage show, especially in front of an audience of little kids, who if they aren’t interested soon let you know with their fidgeting and chatter.

Thankfully Hollie captivates the youngsters from the off, maintaining a child-like enthusiasm and broad smile. She’s also believable as a schoolgirl and the audience quickly buy in to her adventure as she strives to cheer up her grumpy, old dad and save Christmas.

The story starts with the darkness of many fairy tales – young Holly Christmas lives with her miserable Dad, who tells her there are no special days of the year, not even Christmas day. One day she comes across a magical book of extraordinary tales. Normally her dad (Richard De Winter) wouldn’t let her read such stories, but when he looks at the book it appears she’s reading about napkin folding, leaving Holly to continue her fantastical tale.

Holly reads about a grumpy king and recognises something of her dad in the character. In her search to find out how the story ends our young heroine is helped by two elves, Bob (Jack Alexander) and Sparks (Lorna Tinsley), to bring Christmas spirit back into her home.

The set is like a giant picture book, with a large projection screen at the back, which turns its pages to show various scenes from Holly’s sitting room to a silhouette puppet adventure of a young princess. The elves give a narration and the story unfolds with live music played by the cast, giving Hollie a chance to show us her voice is still as big as we remember.

After the excitement of Holly and the Elves, her dad’s song at the end probably may benefit from being a livelier tune or shorter to keep children’s attention. Sticking too rigidly to the ‘two is enough’ idea, also means there is no opportunity for some easy wins for children in terms of audience participation for a magic wish or a glimpse of Santa in the night sky.

For the most part though, the songs and magic tricks keep the energy high and in all it is a heart-warming new Christmas show that will hopefully still have life after Hollie is too grown-up to play the part.

The Extraordinary Tale of Holly Christmas is at The Lowry from 20-31 December 2017.

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Writer, Debbie Isitt knows how to pen a winner. Currently working on the fourth installment of her Nativity film series, it’s an idea showing no signs of slowing down. Considering its popularity, perhaps it’s surprising the story took so long to make it to the stage. Watching, however, it’s easy to see why a live version took so long.

The musical takes the story of the first film, two old drama school friends, now primary school teachers warring over who can direct the best Nativity. Andy Brady makes an entertaining pantomime villain out of Mr Shakespeare, leading the privileged kids at posh, Oakmoor Prep. Meanwhile, our Cinderella of the piece, Mr Maddens (Daniel Boys) is struggling at his Ofstead-failing school, St Bernadette’s, whose previous Nativity was panned by local Alan Carr style critic (Jamie Chapman).

Step in fairy godmother, Mr Poppy (Simon Lipkin), a manic teaching assistant whose energy and humour saves the day in every sense – rescuing the musical from schmaltz with his playground rap and slapstick pranks.

But this isn’t a show about the adults. This is a show for children about children. And it feels like Isitt, who also directs, has done a Mr Poppy – asked youngsters what they would like to see, then given them everything.

There is a lavish set with huge wrapped-presents, sparkling stars, flying youngsters, snow, coloured lights and gold streamers. Even the school yard has the attraction of a sweet shop, with fluorescent hula-hoops, skipping ropes and bright-blue footballs. The children near me had their faces pushed over the seats in front to get closer – it was magical to watch how well Isitt had cast her spell.

How Birimingham Rep found so many fantastic little actors, is another bit of magic to add the real Sparkle and Shine to this production. Heart-warming and hilarious – Debbie Isitt has another winner.

Nativity! The Musical is at the Palace Theatre, Manchester from 29 November to 3 December 2017. 

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The show is a seasonal spin-off from Terry Deary’s Horrible Histories, whose ingenious concept of mixing historical fact with fun has captivated young minds for more than 20 years.

Deary’s stories are in good hands with Birmingham Stage Company – the team behind the Horrible Histories stage productions and David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny.

Of course, no child wants a horrible Christmas. But that’s what could happen if bad Santa, Sydney Claus (Chris Gunter) gets his way.

The action starts on Christmas Eve in the Watson household, where young Wendy (Rebecca Livermore) has decided she’ll have an early peek at one of two of her presents – never a good idea.

After being caught-out by her parents, she’s told that all her presents had better be back under the tree by morning. But between now and then Sydney Claus sneaks in with other plans.

He may be dressed in a red suit and have a red-nosed reindeer side-kick (Ashley Bowden), but this Bad Santa has a black beard and it’s clear from the start that he is an imposter. Now, the challenge for our young heroine is not just to rescue her own presents but to stop this bad Santa spoiling Christmas for everyone.

Helped by Horrible Histories’ answer to the good fairy, Shirley Holmes (Salford actor Lauryn Redding), the pair go on a time-travelling adventure through the history of Christmas.

It’s an action-packed journey that takes them right back to the nativity; playing ghosts with Charles Dickens, and sing-songs with King Henry VIII and a rapping Charles II (a versatile Neal Foster).

Jacqueline Trousdale’s set design is effective in its simplicity, which adds an almost cartoon feel at times and allows the action to zip along at pace. The lively cast are full of energy and get the audience on-board from the off, never allowing a lull where attention could wane.

As an alternative festive show, it incorporates many of the best bits of pantomime, with plenty of crowd interaction and loud boos for the villain. Toilet humour gets the youngsters giggling, Wendy’s favourite exclamation being ‘Polar penguin poo!’ There are horrible cracker jokes like  ‘Why is my meerkat missing its centre claws? …because, centre claws comes at Christmas!’

At the same time it is littered with plenty of interesting historical facts that will be news to many of the adults watching – who knew, Santa Claus was green until the 1930’s?

Horrible Histories is that rare gem of a family show that genuinely appeals to all ages from 4 upwards. If you think you know about Christmas, this show will make you think again.

Horrible Christmas is at The Lowry from 7 December to 8 January 2017.

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