Perhaps it's the intimate atmosphere of panto at the Georgian, the feeling that you know the performers and they know you, that makes people cast away their inhibitions.
It's a bit like a village hall production except for the excellent singing, confident delivery and choreography that works. No jostling for position, in spite of the tiny stage; Karen Heritage has taught her young dancers well and their dazzling smiles showed how much they were enjoying themselves.
Small children, however, have a notoriously short attention span and there's a limit to how much hissing, booing and clapping they can stand. Not so the adults; I don't think I've ever been part of such an enthusiastic audience. They shouted all the right responses, waved their arms about, sang along even when they weren't supposed to - it's safe to say they had a wonderful time.
The comedy was familiar and good-humoured, with Tony Howes as Wishee Washee and Tim Pope as the Dame doing a memorable double act. Philippa Tozer did some quick changes as the Empress Ming (Ming the Merciless? Ming the Liberal Democrat? No, Ming the Empress of Peking) to become the engaging Slave of the Ring. So did Hambi Pappas, as the Genie unable to explain why there's never a policeman about when you want one. Mareike Wagner and Kirsty Lee Turner as Aladdin and the Princess weren't altogether soppy, joining in some of the comic bits, and both sang really well.
It's a really good show in the best traditions of panto - oh yes it is!
* Until December 31. Box Office: 01748-825252
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