YOU know you're in for a great ride when Peter Pan flies high over the audience making a dramatic entrance to this year's fabulous panto at the Alban Arena.

It's no surprise that year on year this Christmas show in St Albans produced by Evolution gets more and more popular. It is simply wonderful - slick, fast-moving, full of fun and songs to join in with, together with a generous smattering of boos, hisses, cheers and shouts of 'It's behind you!'. And, for many parents, grandparents and teachers (there were several school groups in on Sunday) it's good for another reason - it's not too long.

You'd never guess that it was EastEnders' Jake Wood's first panto as his Captain Hook hit just the right note of menacing without threatening. When he broke into a Strictly Come Dancing routine, complete with purple sequinned shirt the audience went wild.

And chatting with Jake after the show, he told the Review that he was glad to give the audience what they wanted - complete with a cheeky hip shake.

Also at the after party was Jake's EastEnders' chum Steve McFadden, who turned up to support his friend. Steve is starring in another Evolution production Jack and the Beanstalk in Crawley, in which he also starred in St Albans last year. Steve says he boos and hisses with the rest of audience "if I'm inspired".

David Ribi's Peter Pan is vibrant and assertive, even when 'flying' and he can really sing; CBeebies' favourite Katrina Bryan as Tinkerbell is very funny, suitably endearing and can also sing - this goes a long way to helping the audience feel relaxed and happy.

There are no weak links here - right from all the actors playing the Darling children to the Lost Boys, the Indian tribe, the pirates, dancers, animal actors and mermaids - yes, hilarious mermaids. The costumes are creative and fabulous, the sets clever. The scene flying over London with Peter and the children is magical.

But a huge shout out - once again - must go to the man who quite brilliantly keeps it all together as Mrs Smee - the Dame. Bob Golding's comic timing, his ability to keep the action going is second to none.

Quite simply this is a show to rival the West End's offerings.

Congratulations to writer/producer Paul Hendy and producer/director Emily Wood and to the Alban Arena for 'throwing money' at this glittering panto. It shows - oh yes it does!

Ruth Brindle