FOR me, a trip to the pantomime is a Christmas tradition and as a family we’ve been going to the Courtyard’s since I was just a young child. That tradition doesn’t look set to end anytime soon.

This year’s panto is Beauty and the Beast – a story most of us are familiar with thanks to Disney but which is given a modern twist by director, Estelle Van Warmelo.

It was everything a panto should be – all singing, all dancing, packed with hilarious moments of slapstick comedy but also underpinned by that classic love story.

When Mr Belmont (Tony Bayliss) takes a rose belonging to the Beast (Ben Astle), his daughter Bebe (Beth Dillon) pleads with the creature (actually a handsome prince who has been cursed for his arrogance) to spare her father’s life.

Beast agrees – to the delight of the wicked Berontha (Madeleine MacMahon) – and welcomes his new housemate/prisoner Bebe to his castle.

Despite getting off to a bad start, Bebe learns that there’s more to the Beast than meets the eye and...well..you know what happens next.

Bebe’s friends, Dame Buffy Duster (Jason Marc Williams) and her son Buster Duster (Alistair Barron), were a comedy delight and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves throughout the show.

Beth Dillon was the perfect modern day beauty as Bebe, who is much more than a pretty face, while Ben Astle was excellent as the tormented beast, who might be a little bit fierce initially but has a truly soft heart.

There’s also a spooky but hilarious twist on the magic mirror that Bebe uses to check on her father, while Dame Buffy Duster’s small screen debut in her quest to find her own (007) prince charming was hilarious.

There’s some older classic songs in there – Aretha Franklin’s Respect – as well as some more modern delights like Bruno Mars' Just the way you are so there's something for everyone.

It was a superb team effort from an energetic, talented cast and, of course, plenty of opportunities for the audience to get involved too.

Choreographer Phillip Aiden put together some high-tempo routines and musical director Henry Burnett and set and costume designer, Mark Walters, also deserve a mention for being part of such a spectacular production.

As usual, a five-star festive treat for both big and little kids. I’m already looking forward to next year.

Beauty and the Beast runs at The Courtyard until January 9.