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Aah, Cinderella... What could make a more romantic, heart-warming start to the Christmas festivities?

Wycombe Swan’s panto has all the emotional tugs of the traditional story – rags to ballgown, baddie sisters and caring fairy, cheery Buttons and magical pumpkin-turned-coach.

But it’s given so many updated twists that there’s a surprise round every corner.

The well-loved story (this is the most popular panto of all) becomes something new and delightful for seeing out 2016.

Cinderella (played by Sarah Vaughan) is sweet and pretty, her Prince Charming is tall and handsome - and, breaking with tradition, is played by an attractive man (Luke Kelly) rather than a girl.

But rather than focussing on the lovelorn couple, this retelling of the story plays to the strengths of the three celebrities on stage.

Comedian Bobby Davro fills every scene with hilarity as Buttons, sometimes interacting with Cinders, sometimes with the audience, and much of the time treating us to a one-man stand-up comedy show.

His gags keep the action rolling at a fast pace.

Then there’s Louie Spence, TV personality and dance expert, as the Prince’s servant Dandini. He plays the role in a totally over-the-top camp style, mincing around and raising plenty of laughs.

Linda Robson (‘Birds of a Feather’) brings an earthy motherliness to her Fairy Tracey role, arriving with flashes of fireworks to deliver her magical spells and save the day for Cinders.

The script is written specially for these three, so the funny situations play to their strengths very effectively.

The Ugly Sisters Amanda and Alesha, played by Ben Stock and Alex Woodhall, are all that these iconic baddies should be: loud and gloriously obnoxious.

The panto includes the must-have elements of ‘behind you’ and ‘oh yes he is’, but these are kept to a minimum in favour of comedy acts that amuse all the family.

There is plenty of innuendo (one tiny voice piped out loudly, at a touchy-feely between-the-legs moment with a balloon: “What’s he doing, Mummy?”) but this panto provides fun for everyone.

We’re told that the cast got together only two weeks before the show opened, which makes their flawless performance on opening night amazing – especially a wonderful slapstick routine on the theme “If I weren’t in panto...” slickly delivered by the Sisters, Buttons and Dandini.

The costumes are stunning, from the Ugly Sisters’ amazing creations (especially in the finale) to the ballgowns and courtiers.

The sets are sumptuous, and Cinderella’s sparkly coach drawn by a silver winged horse who flies off the stage is a spectacle.

Altogether the Wycombe Swan panto 2016 is a feast of fun, romance and visual delight for all the family.

Wycombe Swan panto continues until December 31.

For more information, visit wycombeswan.co.uk or call 01494 512000.