The Norwich Theatre Royal panto quite literally reached new heights this year with dazzling special effects and huge musical numbers.
Jack and the Beanstalk is this year's festive offering and audience favourite Joe Tracini, who first appeared in Cinderella in 2019, returned for the third time.
But the former Hollyoaks actor has gone from the sidekick to the leading man as the hapless yet loveable Jack, who is tricked by villain Nightshade (Eastenders' Dayle Hudson) into selling his cow for magic beans.
But this cow is not your average farmyard dweller, as Casualty's Amanda Henderson had the audience mooing instead of booing with her rip-roaring performance as turnip-loving Pat who hates being milked.
The production value has really gone up a notch this year, with colourful projections and the evil Giant Bonecrunch with a Norfolk accent, voiced by The Nimmo Twins' Karl Minns, featured on stage as a huge puppet.
Beyoncé was born to sing, Leonardo DiCaprio was born to act and Joe Tracini was born to do panto.
He had the audience rooting for him the whole way through as he climbed up the beanstalk to save his captured friends.
Richard Gauntlett returned for his 22nd year and really is the beating heart of the Theatre Royal panto.
He had yet another fabulous turn as the outrageous Dame Trott, both in her gags and flamboyant costumes, and scenes with love interest King Nigel of Norwich (Rufus Hound) were comedy gold.
The highlights in the show were in the musical numbers, with Britain's Got Talent's Linda John-Pierre as Fairy Fullobeans wowing with her belting voice.
Bohemian Rhapsody, which featured the full cast, was a delight as Jack asked his "mama mia, let me go" up the beanstalk.
Hudson was wonderfully wicked as the cockney debt collector and giant's assistant Nightshade, who no doubt channeled EastEnders baddies for the part.
It made a refreshing change that it was a story about friendship, particularly between Jack and Jill (Sally Hodgkiss), instead of love and the young cast, led by Bill and Beau, no doubt have a bright future ahead.
After such a high-tempo show, the ending felt a little rushed but it ended on a high with a big audience sing-along.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Norwich Theatre Royal until January 7.
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