THE Empire has a success story on its hands. A high-flying, unmissable Christmas treat that really does have everything including the loveable dog Nana, played with expert canine acting skills by Lauren Sproates, and a great big slithery crocodile.

The sets are magnificent and director Sarah Redmond obviously keeps a tight pirate ship as everyone knows their stuff and the entire, huge cast look as if they are having the time of their lives.

Emmerdale’s Tom Lister makes Captain Hook into the brilliant baddy that all the children love to hate and the teenagers love to love. He must be the sexiest Captain Hook I’ve ever seen. He also makes a darling Mr Darling too.

CBeebies presenter Katy Ashworth is the perfect Peter Pan. She oozes a wonderful childlike confidence and is so brave to fly across the heads of the audience all the way up to the upper circle.

The children in the production are from three local organisations – Kathleen Davis Stage School, Muriel Harrison School of Dance and Drama and Shameem Karim School of Performing Arts and are all, dare I say it, “pantastic”.

Writer Andrew Ryan has shadowed JM Barrie’s storyline, mingling some very appropriate modern songs like Flying Without Wings and I Believe I Can Fly. Of course, every Christmas show this year has gone “gangnam style” and choreographer Vanessa Leagh-Hicks has loads of fun. Her interpretation of the Slumdog Millionaire dance, Jai H, is a show highlight.

A quick mention too for roller-skating Elisha Covell as the fiesty Tinker Bell and Courtney-May Briggs’ delicate Tiger Lilly, and I can’t miss out Sunderland lass Sophina Afzal, who is part of the Townsfolk and an Indian on her home territory, excellent.

  • Until Jan 6.

Box office 0844- 8713022 or online at atg tickets.com/ sunderland