Jack and the Beanstalk, Nottingham Theatre Royal

Christmas has well and truly begun! Forget your Slab Square winter wonderlands – and don’t hold out hope for an early Christmas gift from our local football teams.

There was a palpable buzz about the Theatre Royal for Jack and the Beanstalk and every one the cast oozed star quality.

New panto dame Tony Maudsley touched down from Benidorm as Dame Trot – and proved to be a revelation. How he’s managed to avoid the panto season up until now we’ll never know – but he’s going to be at the top of the "wanted" list this time next year, whether he’s busy as Kenneth or not.

He arrived in his TV character’s trademark hot pants and his opening number, a wonderful rendition of Danny la Rue’s signature tune The Girl With a Little Bit Extra, was perfect for panto – raising a laugh for families and giving a little bit extra for the grown-ups (if you know what I mean!) Dame Trot also scored well with some of the best lines, as well as some of the rudest double-entendres.

And then there’s the seasoned pros Paul and Barry, the Chuckle Brothers, playing her sons, and bringing the house down with tried and tested routines that had many of the audience crying with laughter. Picture pensioner Barry in his frilly knickers and nothing else and you’ll start to get the idea…

Their opening got some of the biggest squeals of the night as their naughty presents once more meant different things to different people. Their squabbles, giggles and mastery at working the audience fitted seamlessly with the plot. Perfect family fun.

Meanwhile, it’s always Chico time with Jack (yes, he sang it), and his own striptease at bedtime had a little more wow-factor than it did x-factor!

Daniel Boys was suitably hiss-worthy as Fleshcreep, while Sarah Earnshaw was eminently lovable as the Spirit of the Beans, keeping our story moving forward and helping out the Trots in their quest to rescue diminutive Princess Apricot (Gemma Buckingham) from the giant’s lair.

Ian Gledhill was a ready-made stand-in as King Crumble for the press night, and was a wonderfully gentle and transparent chap as he fell for the colourful Dame’s amorous advances.

We also embarked on an amazing 3D trip inside the Giant’s castle. Just a word of warning though – you might need to let very small children know there are rats, maggots, spiders and more leaping out at you once the 3D specs are on your nose.

This year’s panto is so much more than just the laughs. The musical numbers, led by Allan Rogers and his band, were all top-notch. The comedy was spot-on, even if the audience was sometimes half a beat behind the quickfire repartee of the leads. 

It’s a sparkling antidote to winter and one of the best Christmas shows in years.

Dancing On Ice, Capital FM Arena

The razzle-dazzle sequined circus that is Dancing on Ice returned to Nottingham this weekend, pleased and proud to be back in the home city of Bolero.

Or as the master of ceremonies put it, “Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice”.

Because it really was their show this time around, with not even perennial host Andi Peters in sight to keep the action bobbing along.

Jayne and Chris themselves were the comperes and anyone who’s ever heard them interviewed will know that it’s perhaps not their strongest role.

Out on the ice, though, they were most definitely in charge, with three spectacular routines to remind us that it was here that the legend began.

Their first set the standard for the rest of the evening while after the break they treated us to two more arrangements, one with Jayne in a Geri Halliwell-style union flag-design dress, paying homage to our sporting summer ahead.

In the contest itself, the ladies in the audience found themselves overexcited at the sight of Dancing On Ice 2012 champion, Emmerdale soap star Matthew Wolfenden – who was definitely a crowd favourite and always destined to be in the final. Singer Chico caused plenty of interest too.

Shirtless, muscular and with the ability to shake the parts you wouldn’t normally look at.

Actor Sam Attwater, Coronation Street’s Andy Whyment and tiny Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter made up the five who won through to the final on the night we were there ... but it wouldn’t be fair who reveal who triumphed in a Bolero skate-off.

Suffice to say it was a popular decision and went to the celebrity who so desperately wanted to win.

We were also treated to near-perfect routines from bendable actress Jennifer Ellison, smiley Sugababe Heidi Range and British skier Chemmy Alcott.

The standard was high and finalists were chosen by a text vote from the audience, which was amalgamated with the judges’ scores.

No flying this year, though, and after our local heroes departed the ice to the ovation they deserved, the first few numbers from the competitors seemed a little flat, even when the favourites graced the ice.

With the Arena rather less than filled to capacity, and tickets available in all areas for Sunday’s show, perhaps the public is cooling to Dancing On Ice.

Even the judging panel was slimmed down from five to three this year, comprising former Olympian and TV series coach Karen Barber, 2007 winner Kyran Bracken and comedy actor Christopher Biggins.