Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s annual rock ‘n’ roll pantos are the very opposite of Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates - you always know exactly what you are going to get.

And this is precisely why it is usually the hottest ticket in North Wales and North West when it comes to the festive theatre offerings across the region.

Panto it may be but there is much more to the Mold theatre’s biggest money-spinner than that.

All the staple ingredients of the peculiarly British format are present and correct but regular writer-director Peter Rowe has established a formula that leaves every audience member feeling they have seen something akin to a spectacular West End musical.

This is why the venue can get away with extending the production’s run beyond the lifespan of most pantos - the production starts in November and goes through until the final week of January.

Anything directly Christmassy is almost completely absent apart from the warm glow of goodwill to all men that it sends you away with.

Because, to put it simply, the goal of the show every year is to give every person who packs the auditorium the feeling they have been to one of the best party nights of their lives!

This year’s Beauty and the Beast is no exception - yes, there is a Beast but otherwise it might as well be Aladdin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty or any one of a dozen tales regularly given the panto treatment.

The main reasons to make sure you don’t miss out on this glorious treat are the wonderfully risque humour, the incredible set designs by Judith Croft (whose work can also be currently seen in The Snow Queen in Chester) and a cast full of actor-musicians who belt out an endless stream of classic songs from the last 50 years of popular music.

And, of course, there is Phylip Harries, undoubtedly one of the best Dames treading the boards of the nation, managing to disguise some near the knuckle jokes in a way that delights adults but could never offend the sensibilities of the youngsters in the crowd.

Adam Barlow’s love-lorn Desperate Dan, Ellie Rose Boswell’s exquisite Beauty, Daniel Lloyd’s exuberant Sir Peacock Beauregarde and especially Toby Lord’s dashing Prince Promising who becomes the Beast are all impressive but this is one of those occasions when the show itself is the star.

It is never easy to get a ticket to this annual treat - you would be wise to make that effort sooner rather than later as you will not regret it.