EXPECTATIONS are high for this year’s Greenwich Theatre pantomime.

Every year, the theatre avoids the pulling power of a big celebrity name and focuses on putting on one of the best shows around – and this year is no different.

With a razor-sharp script and direction by one of the country’s best-loved pantomime dames Andrew Pollard, the show this season is Puss in Boots.

Greenwich’s pantos have a reputation for their Glee-like qualities and with some great songs – from the eighties to modern pop – that will endure, though this year also sees magicians and puppets involved in the show.

Hertfordshire actor Alim Jayda, who stars as Puss, said: “It is like you are coming to watch a West End show. It is all-singing, all-dancing, of that calibre, just with the panto feel. I think that’s why Greenwich hits the nail on the head with the panto.”

Alim, whose previous work includes playing Iggle Piggle in In the Night Garden, was full of praise for Mr Pollard.

He said: “I absolutely admire that man. Not only is he a talented actor, he’s also a genius writer. What’s really beautiful is he’s precious about his work but he’s not too attached to it.

“Puss is a very quirky, quick-thinking, humourous character – he brings a lot of comedy to the table – and there have been so many things where I have said to Andy ‘can I do this, can I do that’ and we have mucked around and it has worked.

“He is so happy to add things to the script, change and work with his actors, which is why it works so well.”

Getting the balance right between appealing to adults and children is something that Alim believes the script has got spot-on too.

He said: “I think Andy has hit the nail on the head. We have got songs ranging from the eighties to modern pop songs.

“There are some political gags that you wouldn’t get unless you’re an adult and then we have got some slapstick that the kids are going to howl at, I’m sure.

“It’s playtime on stage. When the audience come, we want them to come on stage – not literally – and play with us.

“It is not just a show to see but it is a show to involve the audience as well.”

Puss in Boots is at Greenwich Theatre from November 21 to January 5. Tickets cost £21 or £27 adults, £19 or £25 concessions and children half price. Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk