Just as you get boutique hotels, so you get boutique pantomimes. The Tron's is just such a beast, taking on the glamorous main stage shows at their own game and coming out grinning.
Forbes Masson, a long-time master of this sort of thing, has refreshed his Cinderella for the Pop Idol generation. We're in the kingdom of Tartania (national anthem: "Hail to Tartania/There is nowhere rainier"), where the geeky Buttons receives a magical gift that turns him into pin-up popstar Troon Colquhoon ("everybody swoon!"). These days we're well used to the idea of instant fame being bestowed on nonentities, so his sudden appearance in Tartania TV's Pop God competition makes perfect sense.
Meanwhile, back at home, Cinderella is preparing to make a transformation of her own, stepping out from the grasp of her ugly sisters to become a rival singing sensation. Despite triumphing, she turns down the would-be prince, a Simon Cowell-like svengali figure, in favour of the back-to-normal Buttons - which is just the ending you always hope for and never get in the traditional telling.
What Masson does, in other words, is to rejuvenate the old tale with fresh plot twists - not to mention a very funny script - while honouring the venerable rituals of panto, from the communal singalong to the throwing of sweets. The score is one of his best, displaying not only a talent for smart-Alec rhymes, but also his way with a plaintive melody: Frances Thorburn's song about being Cinderella is a delicate delight.
None of this would count for anything if it were not for Gordon Dougall's phenomenal cast of six, who effortlessly do the job of three times their number. Particularly impressive is Fletcher Mathers who, with boundless good grace, plays a bovine TV presenter, a dewinged fairy and a shaggy dog. Her bad guy adversary, George Drennan, even manages a mid-song trumpet solo, just to prove that bijou can be best.
· Until January 3. Box office: 0141-552 4267.
