CHRISTMAS has arrived with the opening of one of the best pantomimes in the region at Cheltenham’s Everyman theatre.

The traditional, action-packed and hilarious production of Cinderella is a must-see this festive season.

The brilliant Tweedy the clown returns to once again steal the show, this year as Cinders’ much-loved friend Buttons. With his trusty companion Kevin the iron, slapstick antics and perfect comic timing, the audience are putty in the Giffords Circus clown’s hands from beginning to end.

William Elliott is brimming with gags and the innuendos only pantomimes can get away with as the Dame, Baroness Hilary Hardup. Together with Tweedy, the pair gain the biggest applauses of the show including for their very messy wallpaper decorating scene and some slightly worrying knife-throwing capers.

Cinders herself is brought to life by the talented Ruth Betteridge whose sweet-sounding voice ups the anti in this Everyman-produced show.

Her Ugly Sisters, Wendy Abrahams and Kerry Whiteside, are a sight to behold in magnificently over the top costumes complete with a talking dog. Fairy Godmother Lynette Clark, despite a few near misses as she flies on and off stage, is a glittering delight who helps save the day in this well-versed tale of good over bad.

Featuring hit songs For the First Time in Forever from Disney’s Frozen, Uptown Funk and Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud, wonderful dancing from youngsters at the Corraine Collins Dance Studios, love scenes, plucky young theatre goers appearing on stage and the inevitable ghoul routine, Cinderella has something for everyone.

It will prove a fun night out for all the family this Christmas. Cinderella is on at the Cheltenham Everyman until January 10.