PETER Pan is maybe not your typical panto choice.

But Scottish novelist J M Barrie's whimsical fairytale was a colourful and magical night at Barrfields Theatre whether you believe in fairies or not.

Indeed the bold selection by Largs Players included all the ingredients you would normally expect such as a panto dame, dastardly villains, pirates, gags aplenty, and some toe-tapping songs to boot.. or hook into!

What was maybe less expected was the high flying technical side on show with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell taking to the skies with wires which added some real sparkle to another stunning all dancing and singing show.

Never say never when it comes to a Largs production taking flight!

The grand old stage at Barrfields, which has seen many a panto production over the years, hadn't quite seen anything like this as it was transformed into Neverland for an epic battle between good and evil during a rollicking two hours of action.

The show is written by Alan McHugh, with adapted scenes and parody lyrics by Laura Edison, while there was homage to Star Wars, the Baby Shark phenomenon, ice cream, seagulls, and even this weekly blatt.

The Weirs, Ye Old Anchor Inn, MacAulay's bar, Lounge, Nardinis' and the Pencil all got honourable mentions, and even a supermarket trolley was brought on to stage by panto dame Jon Wilkin. Asked why he had it for his shopping, he replied: "Well, I wasn't going to pay 5p for a carrier bag!"

It was all uproarious fun, and you know everyone is having a good time when the self-proclaimed master of disaster Captain Hook turns round to the crowd and twirls his beard scheming: "I need to find out Peter Pan's hideout" and one child in the crowd responds: "We aren't telling you!"

Starring as Peter Pan was 15 year old Christopher Haggerty who showed great confidence in the part as principal boy and was very much our hero of the hour. Another young teen played Tinkerbell in Daisy Wilson and she excelled in the part. In fact, you could say they both really rose to the occasion thanks to the technical expertise behind the scenes!

With her witty west coast vernacular, Stephanie Caldwell played Marydoll the Mermaid, and also did a very mean Adele number with a few local references thrown in for good measure. Meanwhile Shivers and Timbers double act of pirates featured Miles Scholfield and John Linden who wouldn't have look out of place on Pirates of the Caribbean.

Danny Lindsay was gloriously evil as Captain Hook while Matt Carnegie provided another star turn as Smee, who was panto dame Jon Wilkin's sidekick son throughout. Jon is no stranger to the role and put in another classy display - so much so he was described in the programme as 'The First Lady of Panto Dames'.

Matt really is a star in the making and had the audience in hoots of giggles.

With Largs Youth Theatre's brightest prospects shining bright as the children in the show, it really was a triumph that could be enjoyed by all ages.

Cast: Peter Pan - Christopher Haggerty, Tinkerbell - Daisy Wilson, Dame Dotty - Jon Wilkin, Smee - Matt Carnegie, Captain Hook - Danny Lindsay, Shivers - John Linden, Timbers - Miles Schofield, Marydoll - Stephanie Caldwell, Tiger Lily - Abbie Ducat, Wendy - Lily Ewing, John - Marco De Stefano, Michael - Bruno Cowan, Croc - Miles Schofield. The Lost Children: Pockets - Josh Ennis, Teeny - Nuala Cameron Finn, Amber McCarthy, Derren Milligan, Anya Milligan, Kayla McCutcheon, Finlay Strahan (signing as young Peter), Rosie Strahan (signing as Young Tinkerbell), Luisa De Stefano, Eva Keogh, Theo Barker, Oriana Strahan, Murray Arneil, Oscar Bridge, Kris Ferguson, Cameron Barker, Amy Wilson, Cormack Cameron Finn, Caitlin Macgillvray. Pirates and Neverland Tribe - Alison Goldie, Fiona Carruthers, Dot Gosling, Louise Russell, Anna Wylie, Lynne McCabe, Willie Mullen, Kim Margery, Morag Douglas. Production Team: Director/Choreographer Laura Edison, Musical Director Sian Campbell; Musicians - Keys 1/Violin Sian Campbell, Keys 2/Saxaphone Callum Laing, Guitar - Paul Greenan, Bass Guitar Kai Murdoch, Drums/Percussion Roan Anderson, Sax Dep Ben Walker, Drums Dep David Stevens. Stage Manager Sandy Cunningham, Assistant Stage Manager Calum Little, Spot Operator Hugh Douglas, Crew Andrew Branniff, Calum Little and team, Set Building Sandy Cunningham, David Page, Andrew Braniff, Properties Fiona Page, Kathleen McKenna, Lesley Clements; Sound Design Hugh Harris; Lighting and SFX DAG Lighting, Flight Operators Gus Carruthers, Charlie McCabe, Paul Douglas, Chrissy Hughes. Wardrobe Maggie Telfer, Make up design Anne Margaret McKinnon.