WATCH out Broadway, Coquetdale Amateur Dramatics Society is on its way.

The annual CADS pantomime started last weekend – and what a performance it was.

The Adventures of Mr Toad is full of fun and frolics and left the audience, packed into Rothbury's Jubilee Hall, on the edge of their seats.

It opened with Mole, a mild-mannered creature, overawed by life on the river bank. He is a scatty creature, but the loveable Ratty takes him under his wing. Then along comes Mr Toad, boasting about a new car.

He is a wealthy but impulsive and conceited character, prone to obsessions including his horse-drawn caravan, pulled by the loveable Horace – and his grand ideas for a new car. Both end up off the road.

Mole is trying to find Badger and he gets lost in the woods. He is pounced on by the evil weasels. Ratty finds him and together they get to Badger to sort out Mr Toad.

Worried about their friend's crazes, Ratty, Mole and the wise Badger banish him to his bedroom – but he manages to escape and steal a car and is subsequently sent to prison for 20 years.

However, he manages to escape, dressed as a washer-woman, but he doesn't learn the error of his ways.

CADS should be proud of such a fantastic production.

The costumes were marvellous, credit must go to Anne Swailes, Isobel Robinson, Eileen Macey and Win Hepple for their outstanding wardrobe work. Mr Toad's garish and overstated orange outfit was one of the best.

And the songs were also brilliant, with solos from many different members of the cast.

Mike Jevons made a fantastic Mr Toad. Full of character and wit, he charmed his audience throughout the performance. Credit must also go to Wendy Richardson as Mole and Robert Famelton's Ratty.

The evil weasels should also be commended for their conniving characters and devious ways – despite the boos and hissing from the audience.

And the entire cast should be congratulated for such an enjoyable performance, which went without any major hitches and brightened up a grey Sunday afternoon.

A must-see for all the family – with the added bonus of a re-written rendition of Mamma Mia at the very end.

HELEN WOODS