I LAUGHED so much on Tuesday night that I had to go home and use my inhaler.

Comedian Tank Sherman might be half the man he was body-mass wise, but he's doubled his comical powers.

With recession upon us, banks collapsing, jobs in the balance, winter setting in and Russell Brand off air, there's a lot of general doom about.

And I've developed premature grumpy old man status or at least 'cynical hack' tendances.

But this show can't help but make you smile from ear to over here.

The seasonal offering from the Babbacombe Theatre is the best Matpro show I've seen.

What seems to set apart their winter show is the way that everything is really well woven together in a tightly packed and well-produced, super-slick production.

You'd find it hard to discover a better antidote to the dark winter nights than guaranteed laughs and top-level entertainment.

As well as Tank whipping the audience up into a riot, Peter Baffles genuinely amazed with his well-crafted magical skills.

Great tricks were backed by good lively banter.

Not to be outdone, Wayne Champagne kept the chuckles coming, especially with his confident and exuberant Neil Diamond rendition.

Danze Fantazy also cranked it up a notch under some very skilful choreography by Georgia Lee.

Singer Donna-Marie, while possessing an astonishing voice, lacked the courage of her convictions in places through the variety scenes.

Hopefully, with such a good overall product, more relaxed enjoyment of the show will come.

At the other end of the spectrum was Torbay's Got Talent winner Emily Kindon.

Gimmick free and slightly on a limb at the end of the first act, she just shone with bags of energy, passion and talent.

She grabbed hold of her two-song spot with both hands. What is more surprising is the fact she is just 13 years old.

The production whips through with pace and is a fine example of good, honest variety.

Fight your way through the tinsel and turkey brigade and book your seat for a Christmas treat.

The production runs on various dates until January 1. Box office 01803 328385