THERE is nothing better than taking your grandchildren to see a traditional pantomime during their half term holiday and this is pantomime at its very best.

Abergavenny Pantomime Company is reputed to be the oldest in Wales with an 84-year-old history and this production must rate as one of the slickest and funniest for a long time. This is due to a fresh script from award-winning local playwright Liz Davies and the most amazing costumes added to the usual high standard of chorus work. No wonder the theatre was full for the opening night.

Molly Brickley Clark led the cast as Sinbad (the window cleaner) and she was well matched by newcomer Eleanor Nicholson as Princess Glassolucozade. There were some lovely performances from Louise Morgan as Sinbad's sidekick Chamois, Zac Williams as Tom Tom and super duper comedy duo India Dewfield and Caitlyn Price as As and Bo. They demonstrate the depth of talent in the ranks of the chorus.

Add to that magic mix the usual top performance of dame Ken Jones as Mrs Sinbad, Stephen Clark as Mustafa and Alex Williams, this time as the villain, and the welcome return of retired mine host Ken Watkins as the Caliph with a lovely cameo from Emily Harrington as the Calipha and you have a splendid night out for little cost. Watch out for the surprise appearance at the end of the show of young Jaycob Harrington who showed his talent for comedy as a soldier in last year's production.

The show runs all week with matinees on Friday and Saturday but hurry and book tickets, I guarantee this year will be another sell-out.