A FIRE alarm delayed the start of the first night by 20 minutes but it was worth waiting for - a show filled with fun, frivolity and fabulous dancing and singing.

Celebrating its 85th birthday the Abergavenny Pantomime Company is believed to be the oldest in Wales and its reputation for traditional panto (as well as cheap seats) guarantees a full house for all eight shows.

Leading the cast was Honey McKenna as Snow White and her beautiful singing set the standard for the other members. Molly Brickley Clark, appearing as the evil Queen Malodorus in her last show before going off to university, has always possessed impeccable vocal and acting ability and she did not disappoint.

Neither did Ken Jones as the dame and Stephen Clark as Chuckles, always a good double act but it was nice to see youngsters Tristan Williams and Kerrigan Heffernan as Sludge and Slime match their comic timing. Tristan's facial expressions were a gem.

There were some nice touches from Emma Davies as the Magic Mirror, Suzanne Meates as Paige Turner (aka narrator) and the cheeky Millie Vaughan as the book, Zac Williams executioner and Jon Newsam as his sidekick.

One to watch in future is diminutive Axel Bawler who stole the show as the queen's page.

Watch out for the talented teddy boys and don't miss good entertainment as the show runs all week with two matinees.

Lesley Flynn