But this wasn't the usual kind of ball. Yes, all the vital ingredients were there - Cinderella, her wicked stepmother and the Prince.
However, there was one major difference, the action here took place in outer space, a million miles from the realms of fairytale.
Guitars played as The Maltings Junior Theatre brought 'Interstella Cinderella' to the stage for the first of a three night run and right from the word go the enthusiasm of all the youngsters involved was contagious.
Show opener 'C'Mon Everybody' brought an influx of quiffs and ra-ra skirts to the stage as the people of Planet Rock and Roll kicked things off in style.
But in a galaxy far, far away, the crew of the Phoenix weren't really in the mood to party. The travellers from the planet Coostie Barria were worried about the wherabouts of one their own - Cindy - who travelled to the Planet Rock and Roll to carry out some rock studies.
Particularly concerned was her father and captain of the ship, played by Scott Gorvett. Scott put in a terrific performance from start to finish - so James T Kirk had better watch this space as someone could be heading for a promotion to the Starship Enterprise!
And what captain would be complete without his trusty right hand man? Enter Daniel Howlett as Gadge. As his character's name suggests, Gadge was a proud Berwicker with the lingo to match!
Trying to get him to 'talk proper' was the Furry Dogfather; Fairy Godmother is so last millennium, don't you know!
Instead of a diamante tiara and sugar plum fairy skirt, this show's knight in shining armour was in a giant dogsuit complete with novelty ears - well at least to start with!
Stepping into the trusty paws of the captain's helping hound was Nicole Mavin, and like her counterpart, Daniel Howlett, she too impressed the audience with her comic timing and stage presence.
A character who received a more chilly reception from theatregoers was Cindy's wicked stepmother Lottiana. Inheriting the obligatory evil cackle for the night was Grace Morrison and she played the plotting parent incredibly well. For someone so young to put in such a powerful performance was very impressive.
And with any version of Cinderella you've got to have the ugly sisters. Well things took a slightly different angle in this version - enter Lottiana's odd offspring Billy and Willy.
Now, every show needs a comedy duo and following in the esteemed footsteps of Ant and Dec, Morecambe and Wise et al were Rory Hamilton and Hamish Carrick. To say these two got a few giggles would be a massive understatement - a bright future in comedy surely beckons for both of them!
Determined to get rid of her sweet stepdaughter, Lottiana took her sons and transported them to Planet Rock and Roll to track her down.
The only problem was that by taking a trip in the transporter the boys were also transported into different guise - step forward Cybill and Willamina; a transformation that Extreme Makeover would lap up!
But what of our plucky heroine? Well instead of studying rocks, after a chance encounter with the Prince, her mind wandered onto the subject of boys.
Both Lucinda Lawrie, as Cindy, and Dexter Keenan, as Prince Junior, had a number of tricky tunes to master throughout the course of the show but their piéce de resistence was their take on the Grease favourite 'Summer Nights'. The well known ditty became 'Saturday Night' and John Travolta and Olivia Newton John would have definitely given it the thumbs up!
Although there was nothing wrong with his singing voice, Junior did require a bit of help in the dancing department. And the man taxed with tightening up his tango and working wonders with his waltz was Planet Rock and Roll's very own twinkle-toes, Mr Smoothieeswoon.
Donning a shiny gold jacket that would turn any game show host green with envy, Charles Lawrie took to the role with gusto and his rendition of 'Great Balls of Fire' got a rapturous reception from the audience. And the shoe shuffling from Charles and the rest of the young cast soon got Junior in step.
Giving Charles some competition in the sparkly stakes was Patrick Davenport, as The King. With more than a slight nod to a certain Mr Presley, with some hipthrusting and head shaking, Patrick got his chance to shine in 'Rock-a-Hula-Baby' which brought the curtain down on the first act.
After light refreshments, the audience got their dancing shoes on for the Prince's birthday ball, but one person who didn't have VIP access was Cindy. Well that was until the arrival of Furry Dogfather, who, like Billy and Willy, underwent an interesting change of look to become the Fairy Godmother.
With a frock swap that Twiggy would be proud of and a bit of 'greased lightning', Cindy was soon off to strut her stuff unbeknown to Lottiana, who thought the party had been well and truly pooped.
Unfortunately Cindy's time with Junior was cut short by the midnight chimes and like her, he too mysteriously disappeared. So when the missing slipper was found to fit her foot, Cindy was taken to prison, charged with kidnap rather than taken up the aisle!
But she had no reason to fear as the Captain and Gadge, along with Ha Hoo Yoo, (Ruth Joy) and the rest of the Phoenix crew landed on Planet Rock and Roll and were wise to Lottiana's plan.
So although there was a twist in the tale, a happy ending finally arrived and the curtain was brought down in true 1950s style will the whole cast taking their well deserved bows to the sound of 'All My Loving'.
There are too many fantastic youngsters to mention but a supporting cast that included Benson (Lewys Ball), Doris (Aimee Coogan), Minnie (Naomi Purvis), Ginnie (Anna Tucker) and Winnie (Claire Gray) all deserve a massive pat on the back.
Director Wendy Payn once again got the best out of a very young cast; move over 'Star Trek', this year's summer hit is 'Interstella Cinderella' and I definitely had a ball!

SIMON DUKE