PANTO is well and truly back in full swing in Greenock - oh yes it is!

The cast of the Beacon's 2021 festive show Cinderella have started their run at the theatre and the show is bringing in the crowds.

Still Game favourites Jane McCarry and Mark Cox and River City actor Jimmy Chisholm all star in the production.

Youngsters from all over Inverclyde and beyond got the chance to see the first performance of the show on Friday.

After the show, Jane, who plays Isa in Still Game, and Mark, who plays Tam Mullen, spoke to the Telegraph about what it was like to be back live on stage at the Beacon for the first time in two years.

Jane, who plays Demonica in Cinderella, said: "We had a fantastic audience.

"It was lovely to see all the children and the teachers were getting really involved as well."

Mark, who plays Senga, said: "It was lovely. The kids were fantastic and really up for it.

"It's really great fun, I just love it."

Jane says everyone in the audience at the first show was full of warmth - and reckons that's typical in the Beacon.

She added: "The Beacon is a big theatre but it feels very intimate.

"You hear the huge roars from the crowd but you don't feel like you're miles away.

"People should come along for a lot of fun and laughter."

Mark said he's looking forward to getting all of the other audiences in and to seeing people of all ages enjoying themselves.

He added: "The audiences here in Greenock are always brilliant

"They come in and fill the space and you always know they're there.

"I think the audiences are all just as keen to get back to it as we are."

*Cinderella runs until December 31, to book seats visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/cinderella-2021

STAGE STARS Mark Cox as Senga, Jane McCarry as Demonica, Jimmy Chisholm as Sadie and Lee Samuel as Buttons.