FOR a real treat this Christmas be sure to check out the enchanting new production at the Dukes, The Firebird.

Visually stunning and beautifully performed, it weaves together three Russian fairytales to create a delightful adventure which whisks us from a Tzar's palace, through haunted woods and into the lair of the cannibal witch Baba Yaga.

The story begins with the theft of a golden apple and an angry Tzar banishing his son for not catching the thief.

And what a thief it is. Descending from the night sky and pirouetting down the steps of the palace is the Firebird (classically trained ballet dancer, Deborah Galloway) beautifully adorned in a bright, iridescent costume which magically swirls and sways as she flaps her wings.

It's a truly captivating spectacle, which enchanted the audience of wide-eyed school children.

The ingenious set transforms before our eyes, the stark woodland becoming a sparkling mass of colour as the palace garden with its golden apple tree.

And when the naive but kindly prince (Robin Johnson) climbs aboard his friendly toothless wolf (Patrick Bridgman) we see the mythical horsemen cross the sky, which raised a cheer everytime.

The wolf is a great character. He may only have one borrowed tooth but he's loyal to the prince who he rescues with the help of the Princess of Incomparable Beauty (Rachael Colles)

And writer Neil Duffield has produced an excellent story, especially the bit about evil enchanter Koschei the Deathless, who uses the prince to try and capture the Firebird.

It may not be a traditional panto but there was plenty of audience anticipation. The wolf led a hilarious song about having no teeth and invited all the youngsters to have a good howl and, when Baba Yaga climbed into the auditorium, there was uproar.

Full of festive spirit, bewitching and magical, it's a perfect Christmas gift.

The Firebird runs until January 6 and for more details call the Dukes on 66645.