Cinderella at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh

Once again the Festival Theatre is doing Scotland proud with the most spectacular pantomime in the land.

I never fail to be amazed by its grandeur as each year the colourful sets and glittering costumes, all beautifully lit, get more and more sumptuous while at the same time providing traditional fare and lots of local references.

The big draw for me, however, is the production's star and co-writer Allan Stewart. After all the years I've been coming to his pantos I am still in awe of how his Auntie May – or in this case Faerie May – persona completely takes over.

Whenever I see him as himself I can never put the two together. When he gets into character he is 100 percent a cheeky old lady, and he fills the theatre with joy and laughter – though I have to admit that some of this year's offerings are a bit near the bone.

He's not the only star of the show. Grant Stott has carved a niche for himself as Stewart's nemesis, this year excelling himself as Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother with so much flair and panache that, if legendary drag queen Danny La Rue was still alive, he'd be giving him a run for his money.

Beautifully decked out, he towers over his daughters Vindicta and Manipulata, making them appear weasel-like, and it looks like Clare Gray and Gail Watson have great fun playing the horrible brats.

Princes and princesses usually take a back seat to the buffoonery of the three stars, but Amber Sylvia Edwards makes an impression in the title role and Will Callan's posh Prince Charming certainly knows what he wants and strides about the stage with great confidence.

Image: Douglas Robertson

Running time: 2 hrs 20 mins

Cinderella is at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh until Dec 31

Box Office: 0131 529 6000

capitaltheatres.com