Review by Marilyn Barber

Wow! I have been reviewing pantos for more than 20 years, but this has to rank as one of the best I’ve seen.

Where to begin? From start to finish it is a bundle of laughter and fun, fast moving and innovative, Made to Measure Productions have a winner here.

In outrageous costumes, Courtney Jackson who appeared in Britain’s Got Talent as part of Dame Nation puts so much energy into the role of Widow Twankey, tottering on vertiginous heels and endearing himself to the audience. This is his fourth appearance at the Tiv, and more will surely follow.

Also with her fourth appearance Tegen Jones gives a stunning performance as Scheherazade, combining humour and glamour with a powerful voice.

Alex Oliver not only exudes charm as Aladdin, his singing voice is superb and his scenes with the Princess Jasmine played beautifully by Jasmine Boussateha are the stuff of romance.

Chaz Murray embraces his villainous side as Abanazar, evoking boos and hisses from adults and children from his first appearance.

A panto needs to engage with the audience, and as ‘the children’s friend’ Wishee Washee, Lee Redwood certainly does that. The creative director of Made to Measure, who wrote and directed the panto, Lee is an irrepressible bundle of energy, creating mayhem, mirth and madness in equal measure.

This impressive production is backed by dancers Naomi Anderson-Stroud, Lianha Cooke, Lee Docherty and Theo J Paul and choreographed by Gemma Davis.

Illusionists The Twins FX provide spectacular effects from a mind boggling flying carpet to a magical genie, prompting the response ‘how did they do that?’

And then of course there is Boo Boo the cutest elephant, who was just playing himself!

Even if you feel panto isn’t your thing, try to get a ticket as it runs until Monday 2 January with performances at various times.