Cinderella

The Alhambra

Take a smoke-breathing spider, a pair of dancing chandeliers, a spectacular flying motorcycle and a missing glass slipper and what do you have? It could only be the Alhambra pantomime.

And what a panto this is! Racing along at breakneck speed, it blended laugh-a-minute physical comedy, old-fashioned romance, foot-tapping dance routines and a sprinkling of fairy dust.

It wouldn’t be Christmas in Bradford without a cry of “Hiya kids!” from Billy Pearce. From the moment he raced across the stage on his Segway the mirth maestro showed no signs of slowing down.

His energy is infectious, lighting up the auditorium like a ripple of electricity. His side-splitting Bradford’s Got Talent routine and slapstick rendition of Twelve Days of Christmas – with the Fairy Godmother, Baron Hardup and Dandini – brought the house down.

Moving effortlessly from belting out showstoppers to clowning around like a Vaudeville clown, he had the audience in his grip.

A natural Buttons, Billy brings an endearing pathos to the role. His heartbreak scene with Cinders may bring a tear to your eye.

Fabulous Lynda Bellingham was a delightful Fairy Godmother, blending glamour, comedy and a big heart, and Brendan Sheerin was a great Baron Hardup, working a frilly tutu to dance the Bolero with Billy.

Ugly Sisters Nicole and Tulisa were exquisite, thanks to razor sharp Brian Godfrey and Ben Stock. With Cruella de Ville-style outfits and a grotesque pet, they made Lady Ga Ga look like Little Bo Peep.

Afnan Iftikhar was a charismatic Dandini, with a fine singing voice, and Hannah Grover and Christopher Drake sparkled as Cinders and Prince Charming.

Special mention too to the lovely Sunbeams from the Sara Packham School of Dance, who lit up the stage.

With a set bursting with colour, morphing from a winter wonderland forest to a Viennese-style ballroom, this is a fabulous feelgood family show.

Runs until February 3, 2013.