WITH a giant animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex rampaging around on stage, an array of terrifying creepy crawlies bursting out of the Forest in jaw-dropping 3D and a handful of disappearing doves, this is no run of the mill pantomime.

As usual, Qdos have pulled out all the stops to make the Mayflower’s festive offering a high tech Christmas cracker with all the production values of a West End musical.

But dinosaurs, digital wizardry and clever tricks aside, at its heart, this is a traditional tale of good versus evil.

The story centres around our hero Robin Hood and his quest to outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and win the hand of the beautiful Maid Marian.

Shane Richie is the ideal frontman in the title role, perfectly at ease with the audience and messing around and ad-libbing to his heart’s content as always.

Anyone who can have every single member of a sold out Mayflower audience on their feet singing and dancing along to the YMCA, was born to perform.

Shane enjoys great chemistry with his soap wife Jessie Wallace and his brilliant band of Merry Men.

One scene in which the chaps, including our rather fabulous Dame Hi-De-Hi star Jeffrey Holland and comical Friar Tuck Peter Piper, play bongos on their body parts is particularly memorable.

There are magical moments aplenty from Merlin, as well as fireworks, giant glitter balls and Ghostbusters.

In true pantomime fashion, cheer the good guys, boo the baddies, sing along to a chart hit or two and laugh loudly at Donald Trump, Eastenders and, most of all, the people of Portsmouth.

My companions, seven-year-old Miranda and George, aged ten, roared with laughter at all the slightly naughty kids jokes.

And there was plenty to entertain all three generations in our group in this multi-layered show.

Festive family fun at its best.

  • Robin Hood runs until Sunday January 8.
  • Tickets: 023 8071 1811 or mayflower.org.uk