The magic of panto is perfectly captured in this spectacular production of Peter Pan.

Chris Jordan, who has written and directed the last 14 pantomimes at Devonshire Park Theatre, reckons this was the most challenging, with fantastic flying sequences, water fountains and a 24ft crocodile.

There's also loads of fun in a lighter interpretation of J M Barrie's fable about a boy who never grows old taking on 'evil' Captain Hook.

Brian Capron brilliantly shows an exasperated Hook's vulnerability as well as his villainous side, yearning for the mother he never had.

There's also a trace of the killer he portrayed so superbly in Coronation Street as he tries to poison Peter Pan, impressively played by Ewan Goddard.

Capron, Eastbourne comedian Tucker (Smee) and Martyn Knight (Mrs Smee), engage magnificently with both children and adults.

A comic routine between Tucker and Knight referring to three Red Indians called 'Who', 'What' and 'I don't know' is hilarious.

Kimmi Richards' petulant rollerskating fairy Tinkerbell, Ashleigh Drew's mother-figure Wendy, and Twist and Pulse's soppy pirates ensure the pace seldom drops after musical director Sarah Travis and the cast treat us to an exuberant opening medley in which Alexandra Robinson, Beth Bradley and Rebecca Lisewski excel.

Five stars