Slick production is genie-us ALADDIN is the fourth successive Towngate panto starring and staged by Simon Fielding, writes TOM KING.

The 2007 show started a tradition in which the pantos, like Jack’s beanstalk, have just gone on getting bigger and better every year.

Aladdin, with its stunning flying dragon setpiece, is a production any town in Pantoland UK would be proud to host.

Behind the hi-jinks lies an incredibly slick and professional production that has clearly involved mountains of hard graft.

Slickness can sometimes imply a Christmas show is all speed and glitter, but no heart. Not the Basildon Aladdin, however, which is packed with warmth and personality.

Simon Fielding’s star qualities are already well recognised and he almost deserves copyright on the term feisty.

But there is plenty of other talent on display, starting with a magnificent dame. Cameron Jack, as Widow Twankey, is a huge stage presence and his patter routine ensures even the oldest joke gets roars of laughter rather than groans.

One routine in particular, the time-honoured Mr Who, Mr What and Mr I Don’t Know, emerges as if new born in a magnificent fast exchange between Twankey and Aladdin.

One genuine novelty is the presence of an acrobat, Miguel Angel, who in his first ever panto, delivers a memorable genie who really does seem to live in mid-air, along with a delicious Dixieland characterisation.

Chief bad guy Ross Mullan, social climbing empress Samantha Hughes, and Geordie Slave of the Ring Sophie Ladds, all shine, as does a charming dancing elephant.

The Towngate is a relatively small venue, but producers Paul Brace and Graham Sandford have done Basildon proud in developing a panto that punches far above its weight. If pantos were hotels, this would be a Ritz.

Aladdin Towngate Theatre, St Martins Square, Basildon Until January 3. £7.50 to £18 01268 465465

Poles apart from panto

THE magical tale of Santa Claus’s life is told in the Palace Theatre’s enchanting Christmas production, writes Hannah Marsh.

Leaving behind the gaudy world of thigh-slapping panto, the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is the charming, whimsical story of how little Claus was adopted by the magical creatures of the Forest of Burzee.

Raised by the wood nymph Necile, little Claus grows up and begins to explore the world of mortals – where he discovers the joy his carved wooden toys bring to the children.

Ellis Kerkhoven, as the young Claus, had just the right combination of earnest boyishness and humour to win squeals of delight from the young audience as he took his bow.

Kirstie Kober’s sweet singing voice as Necile, the wood nymph, was a delight and indeed all the musical numbers were exciting and beautifully choreographed.

Thomas Coombes was deliciously villainous – and quite terrifying – as the evil King Awgwa, bent on destroying the young Claus’s dream of happiness for the children.

The script is adapted from the original novel by L Frank Baum – best known for writing the Wizard of Oz – by Westcliff writer Debra James.

Fast paced, but tender, with not a sly innuendo in sight, the stage is crowded with magical characters and the set and costumes are beautiful.

There are genuine moments of terror provided by the spiderish Awgwas, who also manages some goonish comic moments.

If crude dames and “he’s behind you” isn’t your cup of tea, then the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is the perfect alternative Christmas show.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff Until January 2. £10 to £17.50 01702 351135

Peter Pan will hook you in

IF you’re looking for a generous sprinkling of festive magic then take the second star on the right and carry on ‘til morning – where you’ll find the perfect pantomime: Peter Pan, writes MIKE GIBSON.

It’s playing at Cliffs Pavilion until January 9 and is performed by an engaging and energetic cast, admirably led by Bradley Walsh, who was hilarious as Smee.

We were treated to a laugh-a-minute story combined with colourful acrobatics and song and dance numbers.

The proceedings started with Wendy and her brothers yearning to hear adventure tales about pirates, before Peter and Tinkerbell whisk them away to Never Never Land. It was a joy seeing the awe on the faces of my children, Zoe and Lee, as they witnessed them flying over the audience.

An integral part of panto is having a vile villain and in Tim Frances’ Captain Hook we have a highly hissable hound who received deafening boos throughout.

While Hook tried to do away with Peter, the gags continued with comic scenes such as a giant crocodile scaring Smee and his crew.

A highlight was easily when mischievous cast members raced along the aisles, showering unsupecting souls in the audience with water pistols.

Another riotous moment of audience participation was when Smee encouraged kids, and parents, to hurl sponge rocks at Hook.

This carried on even after the show had ended happily and the cast were saying their farewells.

This panto will appeal to everyone who, like Peter Pan, are young at heart.

Peter Pan Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff Until January 9. £11.50 and £25.

01702 351135