Following the poor reaction to last year’s traditional panto, the Theatre Royal, Brighton, has ditched the Z-listers in favour of true talent.

West End-wonder Tim Flavin has taken on the huge challenge of directing and choreographing this stage version of MGM’s 1939 classic, while also playing the all-action Scarecrow.

It’s a tough task to adapt arguably the greatest family film of all time, but this talented and truly joyous cast have it nailed.

From the start, Aimie Atkinson takes on the legendary Judy Garland’s role with vim and vitality, with canine cutie Toto eliciting “aahs” from the children.

Not that the crowd was dominated by kids at the early-evening performance I saw – the audience covered the whole age spectrum.

But for many mums and dads present, it was an emotional experience to witness scenes so ingrained in their childhood psyche while watching the wonder in their own child’s eyes.

There was plenty of eye-dabbing going on.

Main cast members Flavin and Jon Clairmonte (Tin Man) are superb, while the audience roared (excuse the pun) with laughter at Gareth Marks’ Cowardly Lion, with his impeccable comic timing and Noo Yoik accent.

Julia J Nagle has a real twinkle in her eye as good witch Glinda, but every member of the cast seems to be having a ball, from wicked witch Rae Baker to the Munchkins from The Rox School Of Dance And Drama.

Munchkin Mayor Annie Edwards is a real scene stealer.

From the magnificent sets to the top-notch singing and dancing, this performance will enthrall everyone – no mean feat when you consider the attention span of under-tens.

My only criticism is the costumes aren’t quite up to the exceptional standards of the rest of the production, but that is purely nit-picking.

I have seen a dozen children’s shows this year and they can all hang their collective heads in shame compared with this Wizard Of Oz.

As for pantomime? Give me up-and-coming talent like this any day, rather than fading TV “celebrities” looking for one last pay day.

Well done Theatre Royal. This is the future.