A TRADITIONAL panto is always good fun and Dick Whittington at the Con-quest was no exception.

It was a panto with something for everyone - slap stick and custard pies, great songs, drunken sailors, jokes to make you groan, a pantomime dame and a principal boy in fishnets and thigh-length boots.

The traditional tale was given a local twist with lots of references to Bromyard and local shops and businesses, which went down well with the audience.

In fact, the whole production, which played to a packed theatre, had a very friendly feel with the cast on stage having as much fun as the audience.

There was lots of opportunity for audience participation and the they took part with enthusiasm - especially my two sons. The odd fluffed line didn't matter.

Lucy Hodgson was a polished and professional principal boy and Melissa Morris, who played Alice, sang beautifully. My sons' favourites, however, were the dame, played by Dave Verrinder, the drunken sailors and Pusscat, played by Vicki Green, whose fish stealing antics had them in hysterics. The 'aaaahhhh' factor was provided by a cast of cute kittens played by the tiniest of dancers and the whole cast played it for laughs with real enthusiasm.

Pantos are meant to be fun family entertainment and this one fitted the bill perfectly.

Sue Vickers