A glittering addition to the Fair City’s cultural scene

It’s great to be back – oh yes it is! At Saturday afternoon’s premiere, Provost Dennis Melloy cut a ribbon across the stage to herald the new era, helped by Widow Twankey and the local junior members of the cast, who, in builders’ gear, performed snagging duties throughout the auditorium as the audience took their seats. Nice touch. Artistic director Lu Kemp’s first production back “home” was full of nice touches – none better than some inspired improvisation when members of the cast were given a fireman’s lift back on stage after the alarm went off.

The evacuation did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the cast or audience.

Silly, nonsensical, wonderful fun, spearheaded (for the seventh successive year) by Barrie Hunter’s wacky dame. His rapport with the audience knows no bounds and brings the theatre-goers right into the action – sometimes literally.

The nine-strong cast work their colourful socks off with some great musical numbers. The Prodigy’s Firestarter gets the panto treatment which, on the day, was quite appropriate, given the visit by Tayside Fire Brigade. Alan Penman’s trio in the pit is a major contribution to the action.

Adults and youngsters alike enjoyed the antics of Wishy Washy (Tyler Collins), while Aladdin (Gavin Jon Wright) and Abanazer (Christina Strachan) vie for the affections of Princess Jasmine (the delightful Nicole Sawyerr), despite the protestations of her emperor father (Benny Young in excellent bumbling form).

And, of course, there’s the genie – archetypal this is not – Wendy Seager’s take on the all-powerful, fulfiller of dreams is quite refreshing.

The nine-strong cast work their colourful socks off