Disney Live - Trent FM Arena

There's often a feeling that Disney's live shows are a little too saccharine-sweet for the discerning palate.

If the all-pervading scent of candy floss and popcorn that hits you as you walk in the Arena doors takes your mind off the commercial opportunities as you find your seat, you can sit back and enjoy a show that's really rather good.

But when it's £9 (minimum) to have your photo taken and choccy buttons are £2.50 a bag, it's a relief to sit down unscathed.

Fortunately, as soon as it's curtain-up, all this is forgotten, because – quite simply – we are transported into the wonderful world that's Disney.

It IS truly magical when you're six and four, like my two are, and I was pleased to see my favourite, Goofy, was first on stage to tell us about the magical story book that has been discovered in Mickey's house.

Along with Donald, Mickey and Minnie, he introduces the stories of three of our favourite princesses, Snow White, Cinderella and Belle.

And yes, it is something special to see the seven dwarfs doing their "Heigh Ho!" routine, and watch the Queen quiz her magic mirror about who is the fairest of them all…

Incidentally, it was the evil Queen during that brief exchange that got most of the flash-bulbs in the sparse crowd.

A slick all-singing, all-dancing show that your little princesses (and princes) will fall in love with.

Cinderella - Palace Theatre, Newark

The well-picked bunch of performers hits the mark at every turn in a fairy tale couple of hours of festive fun.

Naomi Slater was the perfect Cinders. Everything you could hope for – and more, with a winning smile and just a hint every now and again that she was really enjoying herself.

And Darrock and Howe, billed as Britian’s ugliest sisters, really are.

But Martin Platt from Corrie, or should I say actor Sean Wilson, was in charge - as Buttons. Much more at home being himself or doing asides or impressions than when he was trotting out the gags, our kids loved him and he was a firm favourite with this matinee audience.

Countered by Emmerdale’s Daniel Brocklebank (who has a fantastic singing voice) as the prince, there’s a real battle of the soaps in Newark this Christmas!

Anyone with children aged six or so will know the Fairy Godmother, Nicole Davis. She used to be one of the faces of CBeebies on TV, and her stock rose with the dads in the crowd as she flitted about in a barely-there outfit for her Strictly Come Dancing skit.

Highlights for me were the magical transformation of the rats, lizards and pumpkin into a coach with REAL horses – and where Cinderella’s rags turned into a glittering ball gown in a split second… thanks to the magic of theatre!

This, and an absorbing fox-hunting scene with superb performances from all the dancers, the kids from Tozer Studios included, truly captured the spirit of panto.

Cinderella, Newark Palace Theatre

I'M a convert! For more than 40 years I somehow managed to avoid the ballet but this was a magical introduction.

European Ballet mixed sparkle, humour, tradition and – of course – elegant dance in this incredibly accessible production.

Prokofiev's famous score was the glue that held together the much-loved tale with sparse props ensuring the dance told the story.

From lowly Cinders (Scilla Cattafesta) dancing gracefully with a broom when she fears she won't be able to get to the royal palace, we see her transformed into the belle of the ball after she was the only one to show an old beggar some kindness.

For many in a packed house, the ugly sisters were a star turn, wonderfully conveying their mood swings between petulance, envy, excitement and just plain grumpiness. Ania Thormeyer and Felizia Roth's ham-fisted footwork as they took dance lessons before the ball brought comedy – and some laugh-out-loud moments – to the show.

The ensemble dance after the handsome prince (Vincent Cabot) and Cinderella fell in love at the ball was the most spectacular, lending itself well to the intimacy of the venue.

Happily, Cinders forgave the ugly sisters for their cruelty and this faithful retelling left the audience with a very happy ending.