Earlier this month, the News Shopper asked its younger readers if they wanted to be a theatre reviewer for a night and many did. This week the winners of our competition tell us what they thought about the seven biggest pantos in the area this year and there's no holds barred!

William Marsh writes about Cinderella at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Excited voices filled the theatre while Christmas music was being played. Children were happily playing with their foam hands and flashing wands. A striking Hello Children sign was glittering on the curtain before the show.

The Fairy Godmother, played by Christina Thornton, came on in a sparkling dress to set the scene. It was a bit strange to hear Baron Hardup (Peter Whitfield) was fond of a glass of alcohol and Cinderella (Christie Goddard) was his stepdaughter but the rest of the characters were as usual.

There was a good range of songs by Robbie Williams, Spice Girls, Village People, Oasis, Cliff Richard and Boyzone so the audience could dance, sing along and join in the fun.

The audience was encouraged to boo, hiss and shout hooray at all the baddies and goodies in good-old pantomime tradition. There were a couple of hiccups when the Ugly Sisters (Mark Two and Simon Bashford) lost their wigs but this just made it all the more fun. A great part of the performance was when the Ugly Sisters used waterguns of different sizes to soak the audience starting from a mini-gun to a fireman's hose. Outstanding costumes were worn by the two Ugly Sisters, including a blue-and-silver butterfly, McDonald's Chips, Brown Ale and a Christmas Tree with lights and baubles.

Buttons, played by Stephen Mulhern, helped the show along with lots of corny jokes and singing and dancing. Darren Day made a good Prince Charming and sang well throughout the show. Mr. Blobby was very cheeky and did his usual flopping about, everybody loved him. There was a brilliant ultra-violet puppet show by Les Puppetiques en Noir that was really enjoyed by the audience.

The most glittering part of the show was when Cinderella came on stage in her coach being pulled by two little Shetland ponies, it was really magical.

The performance ended with an excellent finale with all the stars bowing and curtseying. Definitely a pantomime not to be missed.

Cinderella, until January 20, 020 8688 9291.

December 20, 2001 12:30