Theatre-going youngsters have jumped to the defence of a pantomime slated as "one of the sparsest Christmas shows" in an Evening Echo review.

Children from Thundersley County Junior School and Crowstone Preparatory School, Westcliff, saw Cinderella at the Palace Theatre, and sent bundles of letters to the Echo.

They say respected arts critic Tom King got it wrong. His review said the best lines came from hecklers in the audience and the show lacked a good script and star turns.

However, more than 260 children from the Thundersley county juniors in Dark Lane enjoyed the show and were "incensed" by the review, which also called the production "plodding" and "plain bizarre".

Headteacher, Veronica Wallace said: "It was a good child-centred performance and the children really did enjoy it. Sometimes pantomimes can be a bit near the knuckle but this was played for the right audience and the children loved it."

Youngsters from Crowstone Preparatory School in Crowstone Avenue felt similarly moved to set the record straight.

Sue Thayer, co-owner and teacher said: "The children were over the moon with the show. It was suitable for all the family, it was marvellous. We were quite amazed when we heard the bad reviews."

However, Tom King defended his review and said: "I took my own children aged eight to 15 along to get their comments as well.

"I would never review a pantomime from an adult point of view and they, quite independently, said what I said in the review."

A number of readers' letters to the Echo also criticised Cinderella. The theatre made changes to the show after the Echo's review, including dropping a song about suicide.

A Palace Theatre spokeswoman said: "Cinderella has proved so successful that the season has been extended for a further week to January 12."

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001