The audience laughed, clapped, shouted and sang at the performance of Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates, under Peter Thompson’s masterly direction. The talented cast was headed by ‘principal boy,’ Michelle Woodley as the hero, with Alishia Yates as his lovely leading lady.

Nigel McBrayne’s extravagant dame got the packed auditorium engaged, along with James Scott as Nutty Nick, who gets the accolade of being my granddaughters’ favourite character, although fortunately the double-entendres were lost on them.

Anna Ross was ethereal as Coral, Spirit of the Seas, playing opposite her father Glenn to riveting effect, as the gloating and malevolent Davy Jones. We were treated to a second villain in the shape of the pirate Cut-Throat, a dastardly Jon Pattison, while Harry Doolan and Max Flukes made a good comic duo as his foils. Chris Rendell’s Captain Seasalt strutted the decks, while Angelo Carey neatly turned the role of Man Friday on its head as a scholarly colonial correcting Crusoe’s grammar.

Alishia Coles and James Allenby, in terrifying make-up, made convincing witchdoctors and Minna Allenby, in fantastic plumage, was a charming parrot with a winning personality.

So many scenes and costume changes, and what a contribution those elements and the skilful make-up, made to the show. The sets were imaginative and atmospheric and richly varied costumes brought the characters to life. The performance was smooth throughout, bound together with great choreography by Hannah Cornish and Darcy Ahern. The song and dance routines were challenging, but the chorus made it all look effortless, drawing spontaneous applause.

The Panto Band boasts a host of talent and under John Whellams’ direction, ably assisted by Rebekah Brinkley, we had no fewer than 24 numbers and there were many lovely voices in the cast.

As always at the Regal, there was so much to enjoy in the pantomime, with all the traditional elements we expect, combined with some surprising and original twists to keep us on our toes. The final singalong had everyone involved in a fitting end to a great family entertainment.