Forefront's stage school kids have once again knocked it out the park with their New Year panto.

Until Saturday, the keen youngsters will treat nightly audiences at Alloa Town Hall to a fine performance of Babes in the Wood.

The story follows Robin Hood (Kerry Sinclair) and Maid Marian (Robyn Miller) as they protect the Babes (Nina Hewitson/Nadia Smith) from the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham (John Scott) and evil Morgana (Marnie McKay) on their wicked quest for the throne.

Forefront has turned the classic children's tale into a massive production - jam-packed with musical sequences, impressive set changes and comical one-liners.

For younger members of the audience there's a CBeebies' In The Night Garden scene and for those a little older there's a cracking St Trinian's-style fight - keep an eye out for the enthusiastic battling between two of the older girls.

For those that know their movies, there's even a brilliant line taken from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie; "Give me a girl at an impressionable age and she is mine for life."

As with every Forefront show the intricate detail given to the set design, lighting, sound and costumes are excellently put together.

The stage quickly changes from a castle to Claremont Lodge, bedroom to woods, in one quick close of the curtain.

There's a cool use of lighting, especially within Morgana's Den, and every single costume sparkles under it.

Director Naidha Thomson has once again brought the best out in the kids.

Christopher Foley and Kyle Davies tease the audience with their humour as the Sheriff's silly henchmen, while Aaron Millar joyfully camps it up as the dame, Nanny Diaper.

For the third year in a row, John Scott returns to Forefront as the resident bad guy. Following on from King Rat in Puss in Boots and Abanazer in Aladdin, the youngster once again brings his best evil laugh to the Sheriff of Nottingham. This time round, however, he has himself a superb sidekick in Marnie McKay's Morgana - who steals the show with every hiss and wicked roar.

Nine Hewitson (Jaimie), Nadia Smith (Jenny), Sarah Kerr (Fauna), Robyn Miller (Maid Marian), Louisa Foley (Will Scarlett), Amy Perrie (Saucy Sal) and Ben Hood (Friar Tuck) hold their own onstage, but special mention must be given to Kerry Sinclair.

In the role of Robin Hood (following on from last year as Aladdin), Kerry is a bright young thing with talent.

Babes in the Wood finishes its run at Alloa Town Hall on Saturday (19 January). Tickets start at �10.50/�8.50 concession. For more information and to book your seat, call (01259) 750394.