The tradition of Little Red Riding Hood as a pantomime dates back to 1803 – this version of the familiar fairy tale brings it bang up to date a host of larger-than-life characters for everyone in the audience to identify with.

There’s plenty to keep them busy too – Mary Quite Contrary needs help looking after her garden and SOMEONE’S got to keep Uncle Tom Cobley awake, while Forget-Me-Not, a forest fairy in the more mature mould, desperately needs their sympathy and support to ensure good triumphs over evil. The equivalent of the traditional panto demon, her adversary the Big Bad Wolf is played as a costumed character, rather than in an animal skin. He’s a really nasty piece of work, but even he has met his match in Granny Hood. Everyone’s favourite Granny, this is one tough cookie but she has a heart of gold – to say nothing of a hearty appetite. Just wait ‘til you see what’s in her picnic hamper!

Little Red Riding Hood herself is no sweet and simpering principal girl. There’s no way she’s going to marry a wimp, even if he is a prince. And let’s face it, Prince Rupert’s track record is nothing to boast about it. Can he even make a go of being a plain, ordinary bloke? You bet – despite the handicap of having Sir Cecil and Sir Sydney, in tow. What they lack in brains though they make up for in … er, well … nice costumes. Muddles, on the other hand is not as daft as he seems and always has a trick or two up his sleeve – even if he does get in a muddle with his paper round.

Larry is a loveable little scamp who should steal the show, while Daisy the Cow proves herself to be a real four-legged friend. Order a reading copy

Like all pantomimes from Antzpantz, Little Red Riding Hood can be successfully staged on any scale. There are five main scenes and these include the village of Much Twittering-by-the-Sea, complete with its seaside prom, a meadow on the edge of the forest where the village picnic takes place and the interior of Granny’s Cottage. The Enchanted Glade, featuring at the end of Act One is the setting for a transformation scene which sees the Glade setting gives way to the Crystal Cave, and Prince Rupert receive the gift of a magic sword. This can be staged very simply – or as elaborately as the company can manage.

Act Two opens in the Wolf’s Lair. Scenery requirements are minimal, but this scene has the option of an ultra-violet light sequence – always a treat for the audience if the company can achieve the staging.

These full stage scenes are preceded by a prologue and interspersed by “front of tabs” scenes which can be performed straight to the curtains or a front cloth as desired, and the walkdown setting is the Reception Hall at Prince Rupert’s Palace – again this can be as simple or elaborate as facilities allow. Top

The coastal setting of scene one gives a wonderful opportunity for a rousing rendition of I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside for the opening chorus of this show. And with Prince Rupert masquerading as a woodcutter for much of the panto, who could resist a running gag which sees a regular rendering of a quick chorus of the Lumberjack Song from Monty Python? Other suggestions for musical numbers include: Tomorrow, Bachelor Boy, I’m Reviewing the Situation, Sisters, Suddenly Seymour and Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour on the Bedpost Overnight? Top