PANTOMIMES can be something parents have to endure as a festive tradition for their children, and I have to admit my expectations of cheesy songs, one-liners and the panto conventions of “he’s behind you” were not on the top of my Christmas list.

So as I took my seat at the Hexagon to sit through the rag-to-riches storyline of Cinderella last Sunday I couldn’t help thinking about that nice glass of wine I’d deserve when I got home.

Just over two hours later I had not looked at my watch once as I was completely taken to another world where I laughed and joined in with the panto banter.

Britain’s Got Talent finalist John Clegg proved he wasn’t a one-trick pony and while he trotted out favourite impressions of Ant and Dec, Michael MacIntrye, and Jimmy Carr, he was the glue that held the show together as the put-upon Buttons.

He particularly showed his variety skills talking to four children who came up on stage, and even let them pull his leg with a couple of witty one-liners.

Anna Williamson from CITV and Splash made a tuneful Cinders who falls in love with the Prince while just a serving girl.

The magical transformation scene where Fairy Godmother Liza Goddard turns mice, a lizard, rat and pumpkin into a glittering coach with coachmen pulled by white horses that rose into the air was typical of the good use of excellent props and scenery.

But the reason many adults were in stitches was because of the two Ugly Sisters, Paul Morse and Ian Ganderton, who dominated the stage and the auditorium when they were on, not just with their outlandish outfits but witty putdowns.

Strutting around the stage in their high heels, with more aplomb than most women can muster, their intentions from the first moment were clear as they marched through the stalls saying “it’s rude to point” as people laughed at their outfits.

Their perfectly balanced slapstick, including unrehearsed falls, to getting two men gyrating up on stage with them, and the obligatory “he’s behind you” scene, the duo were sensational.

This genuinely is a British tradition that this year is a must-see in Reading. Oh and by the way, my boys enjoyed it, too.