This Christmas, Mad About Productions has brought the fairytale Cinderella to Campus West in Welwyn Garden City, promising plenty of songs, slapstick comedy and stunning costumes and set, in a show that is rich in music, magic and mayhem.

And while the title character, her ugly sisters, fairy godmother and the handsome prince are central to the story, it is the silly and funny, but faithful and loveable servant Buttons that often steals the show. Taking on the role of Buttons is stand-up comedian Bobby Dazzler, who says he wanted to do panto from a young age.

“I remember going with my parents to see pantos, and the amazement of it all, and how it was all like a dream to me,” he says. “I wanted to get up there and do it.”

Bobby spends much of his time travelling the country doing stand-up shows, but he says doing panto is one of the highlights of the year, and he gets a lot of satisfaction seeing the smiles he brings to the faces of the audience.

“People need to bring children to the theatre, because they aren’t as aware about the theatre these days,” he says. “It’s wonderful seeing the children go wild – you realise the story is so real to them. That’s what it’s all about.”

Cinderella is at the Hawthorne Theatre, Campus West, Welwyn, until Saturday, January 1. Details: 01707 357117