A less-than-perfect Berwick Kaler pantomime is still far better than virtually any other Christmas show in the land.

The press night performance had only been going a few minutes before a technical hitch brought the curtain down again. The show resumed after a brief pause, but the glitches persisted. Thankfully Kaler and his team carried on regardless as they celebrated his 25th year in panto in York.

Once the problems are ironed out, this jubilee panto will be very good indeed. Already, it bears the hallmarks that have kept audiences - "me babbies, me bairns" - flocking to see Kaler's Dame. It's colourful, funny, mad, zany, tuneful and has Kaler's Old Mother Goose (or, to give her her proper name, Sharon Minger) orchestrating events like a demented ringmaster in drag.

If you want a narrative, forget it. As the villainous D-Man notes on visiting an allotment: "This is the closest you'll get to the plot this year." It has something to do with rescuing Camilla the goose that lays silver eggs. This is an excuse for such delights as an inflatable Taj Mahal, a formation of flying pigs, a big production number on the wings of a bi-plane, plus appearances by Jonny Wilkinson, the Osbournes and Anne Robinson. Where else but in a Kaler panto would you see a giant goose having tea in Betty's? If you only go to see one panto this festive season, this is the one to see.

Steve Pratt

* Runs until January 31. Tickets (01904) 623568

Published: 16/12/2003