NOSTALGIA and pop blend together to make a memorable pantomime at the Empire.

The only pantomime authorised to use the music from Disney films, this production of Snow White brings back childhood memories. With Busy Doing Nothing and Some Day My Prince Will Come, plus Elton John's Can You Hear the Love Tonight from The Lion King, the talented cast get the opportunity to stretch their tonsils.

Aaron Bayley, the local lad who narrowly missed winning TV's Pop Idol prize, stars as Prince Danilo and very handsome he looks, too.

He has a lovely singing voice and does full justice to the the well-loved Disney songs as well as some new material.

It was a confident performance much appreciated by the young women in the audience!

CITV's Danielle Nicholls makes a cheeky and appealing Snow White, bursting with personality, and she soon had the audience on her side wondering why her wicked stepmother was so horrible to her.

And horrible she was, courtesy of Susan Maughan looking incredibly glamorous - I don't know how old she is, but she certainly doesn't look it.

Popular comic Barnaby, as Muddles, and Kenny Gibson, as Dame Donut, keep the laughs coming, including a Cherie Blair joke which was right up to date.

The dwarfs were entertaining, especially Dozy played by Trevor Jones, with a stage presence reminiscent of Norman Wisdom.

The Prince was dashing, Snow White was lovely, the villains were eminently hissable.

Teamed with the comedy from Muddles, the Dame and the Seven Dwarfs and enhanced with glittering costumes and classic songs, this was a truly traditional and enjoyable panto.

Sue Heath

* Runs until Sunday, January 12. Box Office: 0191-5658592.