"THAT'S the magic of Panto!"

The words of much-loved veteran performer Brian Conley as this year's Southend Cliff Pavilion panto Cinderella reached its conclusion, with the audience on their feet, clapping and singing along.

The star of the show was referring to his own childhood memories of pantomimes which included showbiz legends as Arthur Askey and Dickie Henderson and the evidence that history will repeat itself came from dozens of young people, bopping and singing in the aisles and on their chairs as the production ended appropriately with "I'm a believer".

It's been a great panto season for this reviewer, visiting hugely contrasting shows and witnessing the whole gamut of festive entertainment that the pre-Christmas season brings. And add in the horrors of Covid that have wiped much of the past two festive seasons off the calendar and it's true to say that even the mundane would be a welcome return to something like normality.

Cinderella at the Cliffs is far from mundane. It is a clearly a vehicle for its star and Mr Conley takes most of the limelight, even if it might be fair to say some of his vintage lines could do with refreshing.

He is what he is though. A professional who has honed his craft through decades of giving his chosen audience exactly what they want. Simple, uncomplicated gags and the opportunity to laugh out loud.

I remember seeing him at the North Yorkshire coastal town of Scarborough many, many years ago when seaside summer shows were at their zenith and he delivered just what the audience wanted then. I'm probably doing him a disservice by saying I thing he served up some of the same material at the Cliffs (that that's a bit how it felt to be honest) – but even if it's dated, the key questions are was it funny and did the audience love it? The first answer is subjective and the second is an uncategorical 'yes'.

If you buy a ticket to see Brian Conley perform in panto, you know exactly what to expect. To coin a phrase, you get what it says on the tin.

In this show he is surrounded by a more than competent and enthusiastic cast. There are moments when the show loses its pace – the Fairy Godmother and Buttons Elvis skit is a prime example - but overall it delivers.

All the ingredients for quality panto are there, with plenty of slapstick and visual gags. The lighting, stage setting and sound are top drawer – which we have come to expect from the Cliffs which is a really great venue – and as much by enthusiasm and expectation the audience are dragged along by the experience.

Are there better pantos out there? Probably. Is Cinderella at the Cliff worth your attention for an evening (or matinee)? Definitely!

An evening at the theatre is the sum of all its parts and overall Cinderella delivers laughs, smiles and a sense of well-being. What more could you want for Christmas?

Cinderella at the Cliffs runs until 2 January. More details and how to book can be found via this link.