In an increasingly confusing world, a good Christmas panto can always be relied upon for some old-fashioned fun, and Woking traditionally puts on a spectacular show.

This year's offering from the New Victoria Theatre is Aladdin, and while it wasn't the best panto I've ever seen there, the audience seemed to lap it up as usual.

Gary Wilmot never puts less than 100 per cent effort into his work, and his performance this year in the title role was as flawless as ever.

John Inman, of Are You Being Served? fame, was also excellent as Wishy Washy.

He was born to play a pantomime dame and the sight of him doing a strip tease is something that will remain with me forever.

The rest of the cast were all fine, although Vanessa Feltz as the Genie of the Ring really shouldn't attempt to sing.

The show also suffered from a somewhat weak script. Pantomimes are always full of awful old jokes but a few good ones would have been welcome.

Double entendre is also a vital component in a good panto if it is to appeal to adults as well as children, but there were times when Aladdin seemed to slip from cheekiness into straightforward crudity.

A portrayal of a gay boy scout, complete with pout, high voice and hands on hip, was downright offensive.

Aladdin fails to reach the heights of some of Woking's previous offerings, but a very good cast giving it their all meant it was still enjoyable and delivered the necessary Christmas fun.

q Aladdin runs until January 27.

Wendy Phillips

December 28, 2001 15:01