Panto in Nottingham: Dick Whittington, Nottingham Playhouse

The talented team which brought Dick Whittington to life this Christmas should be feeling very pleased with themselves today.

It’s not an easy panto to stage: there’s no handsome prince, princess in trouble – or magical transformations to help it bounce along.

But writer and director Kenneth Alan Taylor has sprinkled gold dust on an age-old tale for Nottingham audiences to enjoy for their annual festive treat.

With everyone dancing in the aisles as early as the start of the second act, he’s delivered yet again – this time in his 60^th year as a professional actor.

The musical numbers are the clear hits of this year’s show. LunchMoney Lewis’s Bills is a great send-off as Dick is banished from London. There’s a wonderfully funny set-piece as the crew of HMS Hopeful swim for shore, while the dancing girls’ chorus carry their routines to perfection. Dick and Alice, meanwhile, entertain us with their version of Olly Murs’ Dance With Me Tonight.

There is a nod to our island’s great seafaring history with a brilliantly-executed sea shanty medley, and the sounds of Rio prove a real cracker with a gently perspiring Florrie leading the singing and dancing with Sarah, as the audience encourage a reprise (or two). Let’s be honest through, the cast is certainly up for it and the party atmosphere sets the tone for the whole of the helter-skelter second half.

While the scene-setting first few acts may not hit the funnybone right from the off (there was a lot of “And here’s Dick”, ”Look, here’s Alice”, “Here comes Jack” – which may have been an in-joke but was a little too regular) it’s the compelling story, amazing scenery and a host of larger-than-life characters that keep all eyes glued to the stage.

It’s surprising to learn there are three debutantes at the Playhouse this year. The leading ladies of Alice Fitzwarren, played by Natalie Taylor Gray, and Tallulah the Cat, brought to life by Jasmine White, and the lively Matthew Chase, who is a shoe-in as Dick’s best pal Jack. They all slotted seamlessly into the ensemble.

We are treated to two gorgeous dames this year. John Elkington is back as Sarah the Cook, with a knowing nod to the grown-ups with his well-worn lines – and plenty of up-to-the-minute gags for the children. We were pleased to see Anthony Hoggard in a frock or two for this year’s manic appearance, giving his all as canny Florrie Fitzwarren.

The familiar faces of kids’ favourite Tim Frater as Dick and Rebecca Little as a delightfully scatterbrained Fairy Bowbells attract superb audience participation, while Kevin McGowan’s King Rat draws boos and hisses with his deathly pallour, twinkling costume and (I hope he takes this the right way) the way he simply oozes evil. There’s also a welcome cameo for some fluffy favourites from previous years…

The complex, colourful sets are anything but backdrops and transport us to another world in a show which simply flies by.

And the best gags this year? We always love the “butter face” line, while the children fell about as Sarah explained the reason Jack needed a new bottom – while trying to give him a leg up to the bunk in their ship’s cabin in another well-executed comic set-piece.