If the decorations in the streets and the sounds of carols playing in the shops were not a clear enough indication that it's that time of year again, then this year's pantomime at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, will really highlight it.

'The Christmas Cuckoo's Cooking' is a festive, fantasy story written and directed by Peter Doran, which tells the tale of a group of broken toys that have been discarded in the attic, who would like nothing more than to make it downstairs in time for Christmas Day.

Their task is simple, fix the broken spring in the cuckoo clock and their wish to join in the celebrations will be granted, but things aren't as simple as they might appear... something stands in the way of the toys' task.

Toy Soldier, Ingrid the Shepherdess, Shine the Mouse, Edward G. Bear and Tooth Fairy must overcome the villainous Captain Cuprinol and his bumbling sidekick Walter Worm, who along with the rest of their wicked woodworms fancy a tasty cuckoo for Christmas dinner this year, instead of the usual takeaway sawdust pizza and packet of woodchips.

The toys all share one thing in common - they have lost a vital component that stops them from functioning as a toy, and along the way of their adventure they must save the day for the cuckoo, as well as fixing themselves.

The choice of toys as the lead characters is a good decision as the children can immediately identify with the different personalities, with the actors making them well rounded, giving them enough depth and emotion for the kids to believe that they have come to life.

Toy Soldier (Edward Harrison) is the brave leader, a kind of 'Buttons' of the piece, while his friend Ingrid (Cath Prosser) is the sensible supportive one; they both show good chemistry together and really encourage the children watching to join in.

The other two friends, Shine (Kerry Steed) and Tooth Fairy (Delyth Eirwyn), both give good comedic performances. They show lots of energy and interact with the audience well, always looking for a louder reaction than the last.

Indeed, after a shortwhile, the actors don't need to encourage a response; the excited kids are so engrossed that they automatically know when to cheer or boo, dance or sing and generally play their part in adding to the joy of the show.

As more often than not in pantos, it's the bad guys who have the most fun, and this is certainly the case here... cue Captain Cuprinol (Delroy Brown) and Walter Worm (Mike Neary), the 'Dastardly and Muttley' of panto land.

The scene (as well as presents) stealing Cuprinol has a laugh so loud and wicked and not heard since the likes of horror actor Vincent Price in 'Thriller', while his accomplice Walter shows some great examples of classic comedy timing, with his Scouse wit lending itself to some of the show's best lines and jokes.

The show comes complete with some catchy sing-a-long tunes, courtesy of composer and lyricist James Williams, which had the audience jigging in their seats and clapping along too. They featured everything from a rock and roll song performed by the woodworms, listing different types of wood they enjoy eating, to a heart-breaking doo-wop ballad about pulling out teeth that had one audience member wailing away (although he might have been recalling a painful visit to the dentists!).

Even the baddies have a show-stopping dance routine, complete with moonwalking moves and air guitar actions, all performed to a heavy-metal rock anthem.

It's the clever attention to detail that gives the show a charming magical quality, with the songs, routines, costumes and sets all expertly thought out, to make it feel like a classic Christmas caper.

For example, Shine the Mouse performs a tap dance routine on a giant Christmas annual for boys, which also doubles as a stage, while the luminous puppet woodworms that pop up frequently throughout, act as critics, giving their honest opinions on the production and the actors' performances.

Although I won't spoil the ending, it's suffice to say that good overcomes evil in a big climactic fight scene in time to save the cuckoo for Christmas Day celebrations, with one last song and festive surprise to bring proceedings to a close.

Currently playing to schools, 'The Christmas Cuckoo's Cooking' starts its run of public performances on Monday, December 22, with school matinees open to the public subject to availability.

PAUL EVANS