Additional reporting by Jenny Coxall

This year’s Dartford panto sees a Britain’s Got Talent winner make dreams come true, a magician pull tricks out of his sleeve and a comedy duo bring the house down.

Sleeping Beauty is the second panto to be held at the Orchard West Theatre, the temporary structure replacing the Orchard Theatre while refurbishments take place, but when we went along to see the show there was plenty of festive cheer in the air.

Gravesend’s Sydnie Christmas, who won Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year, was the big name that audiences were all waiting to see.

She appeared in a glorious, glittery dress as Fairy Christmas and belted out the classic Somewhere Over the Rainbow while her stage sister, the wicked Fairy Carabosse, cast a spell over the angelic Princess Beauty involving a spinning wheel and a pricked finger on her 18th birthday.

Throughout the show, Sydnie sang festive classics in her signature soulful voice that won over Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges, as well as songs that fans will recognise from her time on the ITV talent show, such as Tomorrow from the musical Annie.

There were a bunch of top characters to meddle with Carabosse’s evil plan and the energetic ensemble, coupled with sparkling sets, helped the popular fairytale come to life.

The show featured a slapstick comedy routine from Simmons and Simmons, a father-son team from Dartford who played King Prawn and Lord Chamberlain.

Keith, who has been doing panto for 55 years, was joined by his son, Ben, for their 20th panto together, performing a hilarious string of puns, jokes and physical laughs that had both parents and kids howling.

The pair were joined in the comedy department by Christian Lee as the castle comic, Josh the Jester.

The comedian and illusionist, who also appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016 and made it all the way to the semi-finals, kept us all guessing with his jaw-dropping tricks.

His sleight-of-hand spells really gave the show that touch of magic and kids couldn’t believe their eyes when things disappeared and reappeared right in front of them.

There were some brilliant moments, including the Royal Bake Off with giant fondant icing syringes and the ‘Turdis’, a time machine powered by the ‘Flush Capacitor’ invented by Josh the Jester that had all the children giggling.

There was also plenty of panto tradition, from the bench scene to slaying the fearsome dragon and, of course, true love triumphing in the end.

It all finished with a big celebration, everyone sang and clapped along, and the characters lived happily ever after.

All of this in two hours – now that’s something truly magical.

Sleeping Beauty will be at the Orchard West Theatre until Sunday, January 5 2025. You can book tickets here.

You can also book tickets by calling 03433 100033.