JUST when I was thinking panto season had finished… oh, no it hasn’t!

Thankfully, the performance restored my faith in this traditional genre, and very entertaining it was.

Alan P Frayn’s script was given a refreshing treatment, no-doubt spiced-up by director Annie McTaggart and the talented cast.

Mel Barton was an aboveaverage Aladdin, a natural actress and singer, cast opposite pretty Georgie Street, who performed well as Princess Mandarin.

Producer Paul Berry’s rubber-faced Wishee Washee and funnyman Tim Gaskell (Widow Twankey) both gave excellent performances, as did Sharon Street and Sandy Simpson as knockabout policemen.

Steve McTaggart was a fine Abernazar and worthy of special mention is Wayne Priestley, who lit-up the stage as Genie.

The simple backdrops and lighting worked well and the sound, potentially a let-down, was crystal clear.

Peter Bodley and Graeme Thew provided lively musical accompaniment and the good-natured heckling prompted hilarious ripostes throughout.

Oh yes it did!