Rachel O'Connor reviews Peter Pan at Leeds Grand Theatre, until Saturday, January 19.

IT'S Panto time again and Leeds Grand Theatre has thrown up its annual offering. It always seems a pity that the Grand doesn't start its pantomime until after Christmas with the other local theatres and many amateur groups having stolen a march on them.

However, the latest offering Peter Pan is certainly one for the kids. There was plenty of interactive shouting, with some little dears leaning so far over the dress circle balcony in their eagerness to compete that it provided an entertainment all of its own.

Martin Daniels worked hard to make this pantomime a success and even if he can never escape the fact that he is the son of famous father, Paul Daniels, he proved that he has more than one string to his bow. Daniels seemed to enjoy the slapstick as much as the kids although one cream cake too many in his face did seem to play havoc with his microphone for a while!

He played the role of Smee with all the gusto required and indeed without him this pantomime would have fallen a little flat.

Jacqueline Wilson as Wendy had a pleasant enough voice but one got the feeling that the older members of the audience would have liked to have heard more from 70s rock idol Alvin Stardust, aka Shane Fenton for those with a long enough memory; and TVs Stars in Their Eyes winner Ian Moor. Little was heard from them.

Stardust is perhaps trying to move away from his singing career and more into acting following his appearances in The Grimleys. On this evidence he will make a success of it with his realistic portrayal of Captain Hook having the kids booing every time he took to the stage.

Former Gladiator Jet had the role of Peter Pan and Diane Youdale proved that there is more to her than being cast as the 'glamour'. She showed the athleticism that made her a member of the British gymnastics squad, the musical qualities developed in a musical youth which involved playing the violin and flute, her studies in contemporary dance and the acting skills honed in the National Youth Theatre.

Of course panto would not be complete without the children and in this offering Kyle Hall and Andrew Osbourne share the role of John with Matthew Barber and Daniel Lond sharing the role of Michael with Babes and Lost Boys making up the complement.