Pantomimes

Jack and the Beanstalk | on until Sunday 6 January 2008 | Hexagon | Queen's Walk | Reading | Box office: 0118 960 6060

I think the funniest character in the show was Jack's mum, Dame Daisy, because she kept appearing in really funny costumes. There were also some scary surprises when the giant appears. Buttercup the cow was amazing - especially her trick for semi-skimmed milk!

The show was full of great songs and funny jokes. I thought the costumes for Jack and Jilly were great, and Silly Billy was very funny and entertaining.

Apart from the giant, the main baddie is called Burp, and every time he comes on stage everyone shouted "Boo".

I thought the dancers were particularly good, especially in the part where the magic beanstalk grew.

In the end, they all lived happily ever after. Jack and Jilly got married, and so did Dame Daisy, to Burp, so he can help her run the dairy.

Allen Sinclair, aged 38 (!)

As you enter the theatre, you're immediately in magic mode - a hidden machine is churning-out bubbles that fill the stairway into the foyer.

Like all good pantos, there's plenty of opportunity for audience participation - be prepared to leave those inhibitions at the door!

There's lots of bobbing up and down in the seats, sing-a-long tunes, shouting out to our heroes, and REALLY cheesy jokes!

The songs included a few old favourites - and we even had Toyah gamely singing the latest from Take That! It was great fun - and everything you'd expect and want in a Christmas show.