Liverpool-Live

Shazam! A packed house filled the stunning Floral Pavilion auditorium that only a week earlier had entertained Her Majesty The Queen. But today it would be another queen who would steal the show.

Widow Twanky the dame of all pantomime dames is played by Anthony Williams (who also directs). With some fabulous costumes and better set of pins than most of the cast, Anthony provided the innuendo and humour superbly. Joining forces with former Balamory star Andrew Agnew (Wishee Washee) the pair made a great double act and more importantly kept the kids interested throughout.

Aladdin is probably the most famous of all the panto tales and the lead role - as is tradition - was played by a girl in former Emmerdale actress Kelsey-Beth Crossley. Kelsey sang and performed well and you could see her settle into the role in her first ever panto as the show progressed.

The scenes were spliced well with up to date chart songs supported with dancers from Liverpool Theatre School and there were interesting set changes which included and flying carpet scene which attracted the most attention from the kids.

The boos and hisses were saved for former Brookside actor and well loved local Dean Sullivan. Dressed head to toe dark jewelled robes, Dean played one of the most likeable pantomime villians I've ever seen as Abanazer. The measure was my two kids who enjoyed the banter rather than cowering in their seats everytime he appeared.

Special mention should go to Nickelodeon's Helena Dowling who gave the Slave of the Ring some serious urban chic and a handful of glitter.

The cast played on the corny gags, one in particular three or four times but it was this repetition that kept the kids interested in what turned out to be a three hour magic carpet ride. Martin Dodd and the Floral Pavilion have quite possibly delivered their best panto to date.

Aladdin runs until Mon 2nd January 2012 // Photo: Jamie McAleny