I LEAVE Altrincham Garrick theatre with the sound of children’s voices singing Why Does the Brown Cow give White Milk still echoing in my ears.

An appropriate song because Daisy the cow (Marnie Hallworth and Jenna Finnigan) plays a prominent role prompting the youngsters to shout ‘no’ when she is sold by Kirsty Podlaski’s Jack.

The thigh slapping Kirsty overflows with charisma as she sings songs such as Don’t Stop Me Now with a well-trained voice and when hers is joined by Princess Rose’s beautiful voice in Almost a Love Song, the kids are momentarily quiet.

But not for long. Adam Gonet’s Simple Simon gets and keeps them shouting every time he comes on stage.

His mother, Dame Trott (Steve Swift) says “I must have a sweetie” which prompts an immediate audience response. Some lucky people actually get a sweetie themselves.

All good pantos have a baddy and as well as the Giant who we don’t see but whose voice reverberates menacingly, writer and director Alan Clements has included in his panto, his henchman, Ivor Bogey so named because of his nose picking. Max George Fone is rightly booed for the actions he takes.

As King Bertram. Jon White rules Merry Hale majestically. Helen Lawrence’s Fairy Sweet Pea speaks in rhyme as she weaves her magic.

The chorus and dancers – some very young – are a perfect back up as they perform numbers arranged and orchestrated by Musical Director, Peter England and choreographed by Alexandra Howarth.

It’s all traditional panto fun. What more could you want at Christmas.

* Jack and the Beanstalk is at Altrincham Garrick playhouse until January 4. For tickets, call 0161 928 1677. Star rating - ****