I WAS a wide-eyed and excited youngster the last time I saw a panto at the Dolman 14 years ago. Now, as a 26-year-old, I must admit I did not expect to enjoy Newport Pantomime and Musical Society’s production of Cinderella on Tuesday night as much as I did.

The theatre was packed full of parents and young children, all desperate and excited to see Cinderella take to the stage, which created an uplifting atmosphere.

Lee-Rose Walsh as Cinderella delighted the youngsters and adults alike with her solo vocal performances, with Lisa Davis as Prince Charming and Ria Phillips as the evil Baroness also displaying their vocal prowess.

Ryan Salter as the loveable Buttons was a crowd favourite and the devilish stepsisters, played fantastically by Josh Green and Nathan Taylor, provided some classical panto moments.

A gigantic spider sneaking down from the ceiling and creepy, dancing glow-in-the-dark skeletons behind the sisters sent the children into a frenzy - shouting “it’s behind you” and recoiling in horror at the scary surprise.

The audience got their happy ending as Cinderella married her Prince Charming before the cast broke into a final rendition of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now. A fitting, upbeat number for a perfect family evening (or Saturday afternoon).

Catch Cinderella at the Dolman Theatre in Newport this week. Go to dolmantheatre.co.uk or call 01633 263670. 

Joshua Nicholas