Aladdin -- Cullingworth Amateurs The annual panto from the CADS group was a decent village show that had the many children in the audience cheering, booing and tittering.

There was plenty to enjoy, particularly on the musical front, in this warm-hearted and intimate production.

The cave scene was exceptional with twinkling lights, glowing rocks, glittering jewels and a cliff hanging Act One climax.

Another highlight came towards the end when the traditional songsheet was replaced with a crowd-pleasing Alhambra-style singalong medley.

The show was short on laughs on the first night as several actors struggled with lines that won't very funny to start with.

But the principals compensated with lively performances and good -- and in some cases excellent -- singing.

The children in the chorus were also exuberant, with their songs among the highlights of the show.

Among the strongest principals were the two youngest -- Francesca McArthur as feisty Princess Martini and Bethany Lavery as her maid Ting Ming.

John Robinson was a real smoothie as Abanaza, quite charismatic in fact, but the character is one of the most villainous in panto and this portrayal was as scary as bathfoam.

David Knights