IF you want to get up close and personal at the panto this Christmas, Doncaster Little Theatre is the place to do it.
For anyone who knows the venue will be aware that you are literally part of the action - and so it proved again for the production of Jack and The Beanstalk.
Not exactly a faithful rendition of the fairytale classic, the story took a while to warm
up but there were plenty of songs to sing and dance to and plenty of chances to boo, hiss, shout and scream while the plot developed.
As you'd expect with an amateur production, there were a few hitches and slips ups but the performers threw themselves into their roles with great gusto with soap dodging villain Rancid (Mark Sullivan) stealing the show with a masterful display.
Dame Trot (Lewis Ford) and Simple Simon (Danny Glover, no, not that one) provided some useful comic touches and Tommy Savage had the kids running for their lives as the booming and somewhat scary giant. Fuelled by an electic music mix - Radiohead's Street Spirit, Kung Fu Fighting and The Proclaimers' 500 Miles among them - at times it felt like sitting in on X-Factor auditions!
Gripes? Slightly too long and late a finish for little-uns - all of our junior reviewers were fading by the end but free sweets were dished out throughout the show - a nice touch and enough to keep the children smiling.
Here's what our team of junior reviewers thought...Luc Burke-Lejeune said: "The giant was really scary and I didn't like him. It was funny when Simon was trying to milk the cow."
Alexei Burke-Lejeune said: "The giant was naughty. I liked dancing and clapping to the music."
Tia Hanson, three and a half of Bentley, said: "The baddie was scary. I liked dancing to all the songs."
VERDICTParking: 3/5
East Laith Gate car park - plenty of space and nearby but a £2.50 charge.
Travel time: 4/5
Quick trip to the town centre.
Food: 5/5
Cheap snacks and drinks available in the foyer and free sweets for the kids.
Toilets: 3/5
Clean and tidy.
Staff: 5/5
Helpful and available if needed.
Gift shop: 4/5
Wands, light sabres and programmes available at low prices.
Time spent there: 3/5
Two and a half hours - bit late for the little ones.
Cost:5/5
Very reasonably priced tickets so ideal for a festive family treat.
Overall mark: 4/5
A good night out for the youngsters - ideal for those who love dancing and joining in.
