The magic of panto is that it provides entertainment for all generations. And we put that to the test when we went to see Beauty and the Beast at The Central Theatre, Chatham.

I went along with my two young children and my dad - so our ages ranged from three to 73. And there was something for us all.

While my dad and I laughed along at the clever script - with jokes about Brexit and parties at 10 Downing Street, my six-year-old son loved the slapstick humour and silly antics, and my daughter was enthralled by the singing and dancing.

Watching this panto was like watching a big musical production. Yes it featured the traditional favourites - lots of audience participation, a baddie to boo, a narrator talking in rhyme (Fairy Formidable played by Cbeebies’ Jennie Dale), lots of silliness - mainly provided by Dame Dotty (Michael Neilson) and Potty Pierre (Dave Bibby) - and a brilliantly choreographed bit of plate smashing.

But alongside all these things was some outstanding singing performances - especially from West End star Hannah Boyce as Beauty and Matt Lapinskas who plays The Prince/The Beast - as well as a live band, stunning sets, brilliant dance routines and a few pyrotechnics too.

I loved that the music spanned all generations. While the younger audience members joined in with songs by the likes of Lewis Capaldi and Rag N Bone Man, the Abbi medley had the older ones tapping their feet, and everyone was singing along to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, performed by EastEnders’ Todd Carty who plays Beauty’s father.

I also liked the way Jordan Productions have put a new spin on some recent well-known songs - this included Someone You Loved, sung as a duet by Beauty and The Beast, and Billie Eilish’s Bad Girl - performed by panto baddie Malevolent.

Before the panto opened, I talked to Matt who plays The Prince and The Beast and he spoke about how the magic of panto leaves everyone “appreciating life a little bit more”. And I think he was right. By the end of the night, the magic of panto had cast its spell and you couldn’t help get caught up in it.

The look on my daughter’s face as she was captivated by the production was priceless, and even my shy six-year-old was joining in with the dancing at the end.

Beauty and the Beast is at The Central, Theatre, Chatham, until Friday, December 31. Tickets start at £16.50. To book, click here or call 01634 338338.