Any men who are, theatrically speaking at least, planning to dress up as women this festive season should hasten Hackney-wards for a masterclass.
For the Ugly Sisters in writer/director Susie McKenna's best-of-the-season panto are a committed, compelling treat from start - when they arrive in Technicolor versions of 1920s flying outfits - to finish, which sees them attired as French maids, complete with mini suites of polished furniture on their heads.
It's not just Michael Kirk and David Ashley, as Lavinia and Lucinda, who throw themselves with utter conviction into this Flapper-era take on rags and riches.
"Come on, it's the roaring Twenties! You can shout louder than that!" bellows Dandini at the start, and panto lovers of all ages settle back happily, safe in the knowledge that here, at last, is a quality cast that doesn't feel the need to tip its audience knowing winks about how silly it finds the whole enterprise.
What a lot the actors in Mark Ravenhill's "posh panto" at the Barbican could learn. Perhaps McKenna could send them some tickets as a Christmas present.
The loose 1920s styling works beautifully, allowing musical director Steven Edis and choreographer Carl Parris to whip up a song and dance storm. "I'm just a gigolo," croons Peter Straker's elegantly besuited, cane-sporting-Baron Hardup. Unfortunately, his suave good sense fails him when it comes to Tameka Empson's enjoyably preposterous Countess Prunella, whose eyeshadow classily extends half way up her forehead.
In the sphere of true love, Donna Steele and Steven Cree make a pleasingly non-emetic pair of star-crossed lovers with a slight shoe fetish, twinkling feistily about Lotte Collett's sparkly set. Those who think that the rough-andready nature of panto makes it easy to get it right should look elsewhere - and then feel the difference here.
Until 13 January. Information: 020 8985 2424.
Cinderella
Hackney Empire
Mare Street, E8 1EJ
