Snow-ho-ho: It's a Christmas cracker! Snow White, Customs House, until January 5 2020

The team behind the ‘Little Panto with the Big Heart’ have gone back to where it all began for this year’s festive frolics, with a laugh-a-minute reworking of Snow White, last performed on this stage back in 1994.

Snow White, the fairest of them all in Cooksonville, flees from the Evil Queen to seek shelter in the cottage of the Minor Miners (played hilariously by younger members of South Tyneside Dance Workshop) in the deep dark forest.

Helped by Dame Bella Ballcock and son Arbuthnot, loveable skunks Sniffy and Whiffy, Minerva the Mirror and the dashing Prince of the North, can they save Snow White after she’s tricked into eating the poison apple by the Evil Queen? Book your seat to find out!

25 years on and there’s no danger of Ray slowing down in his role as Dame Bella. The ‘eeeeeeeees’ get longer with every passing year, the slapstick scenes with audience favourite Arbuthnot (Davey Hopper) ever more longer and the double entendres guarantee as many chuckles for the grown-ups as there are for the kids.

Steven Lee Hamilton – always incredibly talented in every panto role he takes – excels as the Evil Queen and revels in panto villain mode. Annie Guy plays Snow White with all the sweetness and charm of a fairytale princess while Dale Jewitt pays homage to Game of Thrones' Jon Snow as the Prince.

With colourful costumes and a soundtrack that includes everything from REO Speedwagon to a Geordie version of ‘Friends’ and the unforgettable sight of Ray and Davey dancing to PJ & Duncan, it’s another absolute triumph for the team in their special anniversary year.

Christmas has officially arrived in South Tyneside and the Customs House panto is now as much of a festive tradition as putting up your tree.

Here’s to the next 25 years!

For ticket details visit www.customshouse.co.uk

ISOBEL OLIVER