CHRISTMAS without a trip to Worcester's Swan Theatre for a panto is like Santa minus his reindeer, a big let down.

This year's offering is the traditional old favourite - Cinderella - which writer/director Paul Tate has geed-up by introducing some lively modern song and dance routines.

Star billing is given to Oscar nominated Jack Wild, the Artful Dodger in the musical movie Oliver! who plays Baron Hardup.

Unable to speak following an operation for throat cancer in September, the show was rewritten to overcome the problem and for me it worked perfectly.

However, it is the outrageous Ugly Sisters Trinny (Paul Tate) and Susannah (Chris Vincent) who earned the biggest round of applause on the first night for their zany on and off stage antics and especially for their super medley of Abba hits.

It runs until January 1 and is the Swan's best Christmas show for a long time. It would be a pity to miss it. PL