Aladdin at Greenwich Theatre grants all your panto wishes

Every Christmas the venue defies its modestly-sized budget and small stage to deliver a show which is bigger and bolder than anything its rivals have to offer.

Quality control is largely thanks to writer Andrew Pollard who keeps the fun traditional but injects just enough contemporary sparkle to make it feel fresh and current.

The panto trend to cast D-list celebs is eschewed in favour of unknown but brilliant actors, who once again impress with their comic timing and ability to raise the roof with a song and a dance.

And boy are there some knock-out numbers in this show.

From Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to One Direction and The Fratellis, it is a rollicking magic carpet ride through this year’s pop charts and every tune is seamlessly and impossibly woven into the fabric of the story.

The gags also come thick, fast and achingly funny, dished out in spades by Pollard who plays the maneater Widow O’Twankey — the "O" is a cheeky nod to Irish Adam Dougal, who plays the title character.

And like every good dame, she has a wardrobe bursting with increasingly ridiculous and flambloyant frocks. The piece de resistance being a dress fashioned to resemble a takeaway noodle box.

Dougal is a likable lead, quickly winning the audience over with his boyish charm and energy, while Laura Wickham is an endearing delight as Aladdin's love interest Princess So-Shy.

Almost stealing the show, however, is a gloriously camp Anthony Spargo as the villainous Abanazar, winning extra boos and raucous heckling from the audience and delivering such a showstopping rendition of Born This Way, you'll wonder whether Gaga had this panto in mind when she wrote it.

Throw in a rapping Emperor (Paul Critoph), a hip-hopping genie (Daniel Norford) and a farting pet panda and you have a faultless and unmissable joy which is guaranteed to grant all your panto wishes.

Aladdin runs until January 8. To book tickets, call 020 8858 7755 or visit greenwichtheatre.org.uk