Make as much noise as possible – that’s the message from the Hexagon this year, and they’ve even got a selection of merchandise to help you raise the decibel level. Not that you’ll need much help, as the cast of Cinderella do a good job of exhorting the audience to shout as loudly as they can at every available opportunity.

Rula Lenska is a commanding presence as an out-of-practice Fairy Godmother, whose wand seems to have lost its magic – cue lots of shouting from the audience to ‘help’ the magic along. Laura Jeffery is a sweet and innocent Cinderella, Nicola Weeks and Sally Oliver bring lots of dash and swagger to Prince Charming and Dandini, and you have to feel for Mark Starr’s Baron Hardup, bullied into spending money he doesn’t have to please his demanding stepdaughters, brilliantly played by Charlie Adams and Simon Davies, while Rolan Bell (of Eastenders fame) is pleasingly larger than life as Buttons.

Unable to make press night, I opted for one of the matinees, and found myself looking across a sea of very tiny children, all mesmerised by the scenes unfolding before them.

Unsurprisingly, the fooling of the Ugly Sisters and Buttons connected most successfully with this young audience, especially a slapstick beauty routine in which poor old Buttons . . . well, I won’t give it away, you’ll have to go and see for yourself!

But the children clearly enjoyed the magical moments too, and the scene in which Cinderella is whisked off to the ball in a glittering coach (see above) drawn by a flying white horse is simply stunning.

This fun-filled show is a lively, frothy, laugh-out-loud affair, with some slick choreography, infectious musical numbers – such as I want to break free and Money, Money, Money – and an energetic cast who ensure the party goes with a swing.

Cinderella continues at the Hexagon until January 3. Box office: 0118 960 6060 or visit www.readingarts.com