IN a spectacular piece of bad planning both Milton Keynes Theatre and The Grove are staging the same pantomime – Cinderella (as is Watford Palace Theatre!) – this Christmas.

And, despite both shows boasting different and very experienced writers (panto dame and former Corrie actor Eric Potts for MKT and Sooty's right-hand man, Richard Cadell at The Grove) they appear to share the same script, with identical gags turning up in both.

Where they both differ is in the casting and the money that has been spent on each production.

While MKT, run by the country's biggest company, the Ambassadors Theatre Group, can be considered the Chelsea or Manchester United of the regional stage, splashing out on major, international names, The Grove is bubbling under the Premiership with a smaller budget but a no less hard-working cast.

But for families wanting to enjoy typical, traditional panto both offer a magical treat that will stay in the memories of children – and a few grannies – for years to come.

Often the panto is a child's introduction to the stage and what better way of making its acquaintance than by laughing to the antics of Basil Brush or falling in love with the handsome singer and Prince Charming, Ben Adams?

Milton Keynes' expensive production is lavish and spectacular, as we've come to expect since they hooked up with First Family Entertainment.

The sets are dazzlingly sparkly, it boasts a real orchestra, which is a luxury these days, and the costumes are stupendous.

Our own Louise Dearman, from Linslade, stars as the eponymous Cinders and she bubbles over with charisma. At one stage she really looks like a fairytale princess in a breathtaking pink gown that a few modern day royals would give their eye-teeth to own.

Lucky Louise, who has become a huge West End musical star since leaving Cedars Upper School, gets to share the stage and song-sheet with two Prince Charmings, a Hollywood legend, two of the best-dressed Uglies in panto and a pair of showbiz's hardest working entertainers, Bobby Davro and Anthea Turner.

Because of tour commitments Adams is sharing his role with Hollyoaks singer-actor Anthony Kavanagh and, on press night, it was AK on royal duty. He's handsome enough and does the job as eye-candy for the girls in the stalls.

Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney, as Baron Hardup, was warmly welcomed by those in the audience who knew who the 89-year-old star was and told a series of self-depreciating jokes.

"I'm so happy to be here! I am of an age where I'm happy to be anywhere!"

But the logistics of someone his age being father to young Cinders didn't bear thinking about.

The whole show is very slick and polished thanks to experienced old hands like comedian Davro who, like Bradley Walsh before him, seems to run on pure adrenalin from the opening song to the final curtain call.

He barely takes a breath between gags, bouncing around the stage as a rather mature Buttons, evoking at times both hysterical laughter and heart-felt sympathy from the game audience.

He got the biggest laugh for his Tiger Woods joke. "I was playing a round with Tiger Woods. Everyone plays around with Tiger Woods! They don't call him Tiger Woods any more, they call him Cheetah!"

Davro threw in a few impressions of Prince Charles, Robin Williams and Prince, and worked his socks off to keep the show bubbling along.

Anthea Turner may be smarting from being told she is now too old to play Cinderella but she made a beautiful Fairy Godmother. She radiated glamour, plugged every show she has ever worked on and made gentle fun of herself.

Lofty David Langham and his partner in crimes against fashion, Chris Dennis, stole the show as Ugly sisters Whitney and Britney. They had the best lines, the best frocks and got the best laughs while local lad Chris Nelson, who last appeared at MKT in Aladdin with Walsh, had bags of personality as royal toady, Dandini.

Over at The Grove Basil "Buttons" Brush is a hard act to beat and the first night audience were won over from the first "boom boom".

He arrived on stage to the music of Dr Who and landed in his own little Tardis. Someone tell the BBC they've found a novel new Time Lord!

He had a sly dig at his competitors. "I'm going to Milton Keynes. Move over Bobby Davro!" he wailed after being thwarted in love by Cinders.

He popped up regularly to keep parents and their children convulsed with laughter.

Basil is a firm favourite at the Dunstable venue and a great draw for families of all ages. It is a definite bonus to have someone in the cast the children can relate to.

The Grove has gone from strength to strength with its pantos. No disrespect to Brian Blessed, who opened with Peter Pan, or Letitia Dean in last year's Snow White, but Cinders takes some beating for sheer entertainment value.

Luton Town's official musical mascot, Jane Ledsom, made a winning Cinderella though she must have winced at the couple of knocking Hatters'gags thrown in for topicality.

There appeared to be no first night nerves considering she was making her panto debut. Jane demonstrated a powerful vocal talent and sparkling rapport with the audience and she deserves an encore in future panto productions.

Nolan sister, Bernie Nolan, dazzled as the Fairy Godmother, and entranced everyone with her rendition of X-Factor's charity song You Are Not Alone.

"I wished my sisters would be nice to me!" complained Cinders Jane. "Sisters! Don't get me started!" replied The Nolan Sisters' lead singer.

The fun started from the off with a bouncy song-list, lots of audience participation and, it must be said, a very handsome Prince Charming in the form of blue-eyed blond Simon Schofield.

He had a twinkle in his eye, a powerful pair of tonsils, a rather dodgy Jedward haircut, and personality by the ton.

His side-kick, Dandini, was played by Ronaldo lookalike Scott Coldwell who was also making his professional debut. He displayed similar fancy footwork as his doppelganger but probably has a way to go before he's in the same salary bracket as the international footballer.

Peter Whitfield, who appeared in The Grove's first panto, Peter Pan, was back as Baron Hardup. He looked like Mr Pastry (only readers of a certain age will know who this is so ask your gran) but he's an old pro who milked the part for all it was worth.

Ugly Sisters Wanda (Simon Bashford) and Rita (Malcolm Lord) had a great time winding up the audience with a string of good natured insults. Malcolm's striptease is a highlight with his fake boobs putting in a particularly vigorous and individual performance.

My only complaint was that it was probably not a good idea to soak the theatre critic with water but I'll excuse the pair as the rest of the show was such fun.

Of course the Shetland ponies hired to pull Cinders' coaches captured the hearts of audiences at both venues (though there was so much smoke on stage at The Grove that it was difficult to see the tiny ponies).

Both shows use local children in their choruses which is an enormous treat for them and there were lots of proud mums and dads watching the young performers take the first steps on what may turn out to be their dream careers.

There's nothing to choose but the depth of your pockets as to which Cinderella you see but be certain to go to the pantomime this Christmas. It's one British tradition that is hard to beat.

Next year the two venues are going their separate ways. MKT is showcasing Jack and the Beanstalk, never been done before at the venue, and The Grove is playing Aladdin.

Unbelievably tickets are already on sale!

Cinderella at MKT runs until January 17. For tickets call the box office 0844 871 7652 or go on-line www.ambassadortickets.com/miltonkeynes

Cinderella at The Grove runs until January 3. For tickets call the box office 01582 602080 or go on-line www.grovetheatre.co.uk