“Open Sesame” ’tis the season to be jolly and what festive season would be the same without a Christmas panto. A particular combination of satire, wit, silliness and audience participation, pantomime remains a singularly British tradition and obsession, and the last remnants of a British variety tradition. No-where else would you see a cross-dressing dame camping it up and taking centre stage.

And so it is with this year’s jamboree of Aladdin at the Oxford Playhouse, written and directed for the first time by Steve Marmion, artistic director of the Soho Theatre, and he misses none of the panto classics with slapstick, sing-a-long tunes and innuendos aplenty. Aladdin takes centre stage for adventures in the ancient city of Ox-A-For, alongside Widow Twankey, Wishee Washee the Dog and Pee-King the Duck and what makes the performance so enjoyable is that there is a great sense that the actors are enjoying themselves and playing off one another.

Yet it is when the evil Abanazer appears, played by Paul Barnhill, that the audience roars the loudest when the lamp is lost and then won once more the full spirit of the event is at its height. A truly family event where the oldest and youngest hiss and boo alike – a highlight for my six-year-old nephew at his first panto – and surely this comradery is what a good panto and Christmas encompasses.

There are some great song and dance numbers and Nigel Betts bumptious performance in his Dame debut as Aladdin’s mother Widow Twankey, is worthy of mention. He creates a rapport with the audience, with humour for both adults and children alike, appears in numerous risqué outfits and with even more experience he could become a great dame. It is good to see that whilst most pantos roll-out c-list celebrities, the Playhouse has faith in the strength of its cast and the writing and the whole ensemble is better for it.

The highlight, perhaps surprisingly, was not the glitter, costume changes or bubbles galore, but the subdued but technically accomplished flying carpet scene played to Adele’s recent single Hello and is an example of how complex and on how many different levels pantomime can work.

In the end it is a Panto that romps home. It is jolly, amusing and entertaining to watch, and the pantomime is as good as most Christmas theatre, particularly as it brings most of the family together.    ★★★★★    Philip Smith    5^th December 2015

Photos by Geraint Lewis