A flying Dame, a self-obsessed Prince and a dog in a starring role are just some of the ingredients that make up this version of Sleeping Beauty that doesn't just offer a twist on the traditional fairytale but pretty much wrings out all the cloying bits.
The dog Sammie - not a real one - is a central feature of this story, written by Gary Kitching; being the much-loved pet (played by Jude Nelson) of the no-nonsense princess Briar Rose - and don't expect any romantic sparks between her and the prince, the arrogant Chad of Middles-boroughly, when she meets him.
Panto has free reign to mess with the fairytale format of course and this show - by an entirely new team at Gala Theatre this year - adds some very funny touches in its breaks with tradition. We all know the story of the princess cursed to sleep for 100 years and here evil witch Karen - which she insists is pronounced Car-en - comes up with the threat of a prick from a rose thorn because nobody knows what a spindle is.
