Once upon a time pantomimes would have had lengthy runs of about ten weeks, sometimes not ending until March. Oh yes they did!

This may no longer be the case but the plethora of pantomimes running in the area attest to their enduring popularity. Amongst those in South Wales there is little doubt that it is the one running in the New Theatre that holds the tinsel crown.

This year's production of Jack and the Beanstalk relied heavily on the familiar talents of Julian Clary and Mike Doyle both of whom were hilarious despite sometimes uninspiring material (too much of which seemed centred around the use of innuendo and had a strange obsession with passing wind). Clary's deadpan campness was at its best in an extended improvisation as he dangled high above the stage in act two. Mike Doyle is one of our most experienced entertainers in this genre and was clearly in his element as Dame Trot. Given the choice of these two expert comic leads it was not surprising that the musical element of the show was limited.

My two eight year old companions loved it all, particularly the spectacle. The giant ogre in act 2 was, in their words ' very creepy' (enjoyably so I think). In fact the set and costumes were a strong feature throughout.

Good support was given by the boyish Jack (Dan Burton), Apricot Crumble (Emily Hawgood), the evil Fleshcreep (Cavin Cromwell) and Ian Gledhill (King Crumble).

Lovers of pantomime between the ages of 7 and 97 will not be disappointed.