The stage extends to fill the floor of the arena with the back wall becoming a huge projection screen, transporting us from a spaceship to the Antarctic, China to the Amazon rain forest and many more mythical places in between.

It is a huge performance space and every inch is used to full effect. This gives an immersive feel, particularly in the fight scenes where there is so much going on, with super heroes packing a powerful punch, flying through the air, shooting webs, disappearing through laser portals and somersaulting motorbikes, with stunt work worthy of any film set. Computer graphics are used to create an enormous flying dragon, but the fire it breathes is very real as flames shoot across the stage towards our heroes.

We meet Marvel favourite Spider Man, who falls from the rafters and shoots his web to swing beyond the stage and over the heads of the crowd. He’s joined by Doctor Strange; The Avengers (a team combining the super-human forces of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, Hulk, Wasp and Black Widow), and the Guardians of the Galaxy, including Star-Lord, Gamora, Groot, Rocket and Drax.

What villain could face such combined super powers you might well wonder. The downfall of the villains is that they just can’t work together. But individually their evil gives our crusaders of good a run for their money in a thrilling race against time. Here the object of desire is the Wand of Watoomb – an ancient artifact which holds immeasurable mystical power. Nebula has it and now Loki wants it to achieve his eternal quest to crown himself ruler of Asgard and Earth.

Adding to the age-old fight of good against evil, sister is pitted against sister and brother against brother as Gamora tries to get her sister Nebula to see sense and Thor pleads unsuccessfully with his megalomaniac brother, Loki. If it sounds confusing – don’t worry, you don’t need to be a die-hard Marvel fan to understand the characters and relationships. The story is clearly told and for Marvel newbies it’s a great introduction to all the popular comic book favourites.

Marvel Universe Live! Age of Heroes is a couple of hours of pure escapism that brings sci-fi spectacularly to life.

Marvel Universe Live! Age of Heroes is at Manchester Arena from 28 November to 1 December 2019. See website for full tour details.

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As with all things under the Disney brand, the quality is first-class wherever you experience them. And this is the real deal Disney experience, with Donald Duck, Goofy and another 50 animated favourites out to play.

Here the floor of the arena is transformed into a giant ice rink where, for the next hour and 50 minutes, we’re taken on a whistle-stop journey through 14 Disney stories including Pinocchio, Finding Dory, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Toy Story and Mulan.

The speed and grace of the championship skaters in the cast adds to the make-believe spell of an evening filled with dragons, giant turtles, hairy beasts, enchanted castles and many of our favourite Disney characters. It is wonderful to see children excited to recognise each character as they take to the ice, and their awe when Aladdin’s Genie multiplies to make about 20 more.

The skating is beautifully choreographed by Emmy Award winner, Sarah Kawahara, who also choreographed the skating segment for the opening of the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Cindy Stuart, whose additional choreography credits include creating routines for two-time Olympic Gold medallist, Katarina Witt. The Disney Prince and Princess section gives the skaters a real chance to shine, as six couples speed across the ice displaying breath-taking lifts, spins and somersaults.

The first half closes with Frozen, a mesmerising condensing of the story with bustling market places; falling snow; crystal staircases and all of the well-known songs including: For the First Time in Forever; Love is an Open Door; In Summer and Let it Go.

In all there are 30 memorable Disney songs – all instantly recognisable. The atmosphere is electric for the Lion King’s Circle of Life/Nants’ Ingonyama and there is another surprise when Wart Hog, Pumbaa arrives with skates on all four hooves.

Few shows make such an emotional impact across all age groups as youngsters shout out to make contact with their favourite characters while grandparents connect with the dreams of their own childhood. For the audience these really are tales as old as time and still as magical. As our mini-reviewer says: ‘It’s brilliant!’

Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic is at Manchester Arena from 9- 13 October 2019. For full tour details visit disney.co.uk

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