Pantomime does funny things to me. Every year I start the lead up to panto season, defiantly claiming that I have absolutely no interest in the genre. I turn into some hipster theatre-purist who denies that anything other than Shakespeare and Lloyd Webber even counts.

However, once again, after seeing my first of the season - I'm an absolute convert!

'Jack and the Beanstalk', produced once again by Qdos, is a brilliant example of a 'proper' British panto with all of the qualities that make a production like this great. A superb cast, a strong story, great sets and production values that make the piece miles apart from the cloth backdrop's of decades gone by.

Gareth Gates tops the bill as 'Jack'. Happy, by his own admission, to be playing a role other than the prince, Gates' performance is both understated and credible. Whilst a show like this is absolutely about the star names on the bill, the setup of pantomime is gruelling and takes its toll. Gates is a safe pair of hands who gets stuck into the spirit of things and has a strong singing voice.

Lisa Riley is back in Wolverhampton as 'Mother Nature' - looking great and sounding on top form. She's clearly in her element and is the perfect actress to take on this type of role. Being the polar opposite of Graham Cole's 'Fleshcreep', the duo bounce so well of each other and are applauded (rightly so) the minute they enter the stage. Whether you know Graham from 'The Bill' or Lisa's your favourite 'Loose Women' panelist, this is just a perfect piece of casting that works so well.

Talking about perfect casting, whoever decided to put Doreen Tipton in a pantomime was clearly having a moment of genius when they made the call. As the token 'local', and a firm crowd pleaser, her performance is nothing short of brilliant. Becoming something of a modern day institution in the region, her po-faced 'lazy' characterisation is so wrong for the over-the-top pantomime style, that it's perfect! 

Adam C Booth is also back on stage as 'Simple Simon' alongside Ian Adams' classic take on the dame - and for me, Booth totally stole the show. Performing the must-have 'jester' part, the innuendo, kids humour and slapstick routines were perfectly timed and so well executed, that you'd think he'd been performing the part for four years, not four days. Alongside Adams the pairing is yet another element of this show that just works. In fact, whilst Gates is absolutely the new boy in town, it seems to me that we have found Wolverhampton's stable of stars to keep the theatre's renaissance of the genre steady. 

Special mention should also go to the special effects team. Without spoiling things too much, their efforts to make the giant more than just a pair of comedy legs is mind blowing - and keep your eyes peeled for a real stand out moment during act two!

With a medley of songs that mixes the pop world with those written for the show, and a magic that only a festive production can have, this show is one where it's evident that the performers aren't just here for the pay check. The fun they're having on stage is both profound and infectious and 'Jack and the Beanstalk' has all the elements of a proper, fun, British pantomime that really puts you in the festive mood.

The show runs at Wolverhampton Grand until Sunday 14th January 2018. For more information, or to get your tickets, head online to grandtheatre.co.uk.