A FLYING carpet which loops the loop with a star on board, a life-size elephant, fireworks, explosions and 3D effects which help the audience travel around the world and battle snakes, spiders and crocodiles.

It’s fair to say, Aladdin is the most spectacular pantomime you’ll ever see.

The 3D and visual special effects are out of this world, but there’s so much more to this year’s Mayflower pantomime.

Joe Pasquale – he of the incredible carpet ride – is the perfect panto funnyman as Wishee Washee. He sets the tone just right with fart jokes for the kids, ad libs to make his colleagues laugh out loud and plenty of more adult material, which whistles over the little ones’ heads.

We see a little too much of him at times, but you expect a little gratuitous nudity when buff Duncan James is around. He shows off a superb singing voice and perfect pecs as our hero Aladdin, attempting to foil baddie Abanazar (a deliciously dastardly Cavin Cornwall).

Ceri Dupree shows why he’s the best dame in the business with a wonderful turn as Widow Twankey. He’s certainly got the best costumes too, with everything from an entire peacock’s tail to a washing machine and from a full English breakfast to a washing line full of bloomers making an appearance on the spectacular outfits.

Audience participation is high on the agenda and last night’s packed crowd loved the swipes at Pompey, the chart hits and all the usual pantomime jokes. A particular highlight is the hilarious slapstick routine by four of the cast in which saucepans, truncheons, water, cricket bats and all manner of other objects go flying around the stage.

My nine-year-old companion George Beverley was on the edge of his seat as the 3D genie appeared and the adventure took us from the streets of Peking, to a terrifying cave, then a desert castle, before we arrive back in Peking for a Royal wedding.

• Aladdin runs until Sunday January 3. Tickets on 023 8071 1811 or visit mayflower.org.uk

The hundreds of schoolchildren, brownies and cubs in the audience loved every moment, as did the smiling adults.

You’ll get your wish with this magical show. It’s Genie-us!