They say time goes by quicker the older you get but Sleeping Beauty at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington takes things a step further as it transports its audience through 116 years in a little over two hours.

For many in West Cumbria, Boxing Day is synonymous with the opening of Workington and District Amateur Musical Society's pantomime and this year is no exception.

And, as ever, that pantomime is synonymous with all manner of festive fun, laughter and sparkle.

There were laughs galore from start to finish, with even the most predictable of panto pranks never failing to get a giggle.

Eric Finlay's dame, Nurse Dotty Dettol, drew even more laughs than she had costume changes, and both were copious.

There were fun and games with knockabout Muddles (Shirley McLean) who, with the audience's help, did pretty well at avoiding getting in a muddle.

And the pages Fetch and Carrie, played by Josh Pattison and Gaia Holmes, provided even more comic content, not least with their brilliantly performed browse through the destinations for all the invitations being sent out by the king and queen.

Maynall Weir and Adele Holmes were entertaining as the pompous and aloof King Cactus and Queen Marigold.

Elizabeth Corless sparkled as Good Fairy Lilac, ably supported by Paige Sharples, Mia Parry, Sienna Jenkinson and Aimee Little as the Rainbow Fairies, and for every cheer they got, Sarah Deans attracted twice as many boos with her chilling performance as the pantomime villain Bad Witch Hazel.

Hannah McLean shone as Sleeping Beauty herself, Princess Rose, while Kim Fisher (Prince Alexis) provided the show with its hero.

Not forgetting the supporting cast of chorus and dancers, who came together to really make the show in the full cast numbers.

Even a temperamental curtain couldn't steal the show, now matter how hard it tried.

I just hope someone at the palace remembered to pay the bill for their 100 years worth of Times & Star's when they woke up.

Sleeping Beauty is on at the Carnegie Theatre in Workington until December 30.