God bless the Oxford Playhouse (or whatever celestial, divine or heavenly deity you choose to believe in)! Because once again it’s got Christmas all wrapped up.

That wonderful expectation, that child-like grasp of make-believe, the colour, the fuzzy warmth, the stupid jokes... it’s all there, great big dollops of it, in this year’s hugely enjoyable production of Jack and The Beanstalk.

And that’s no mean feat since It’s been doing this, bigger and better, it seems, for the past four years.

Not that it’s any great secret why: Blue Peter has a lot to be proud of since one of its best-loved sons, ex-presenter Peter Duncan, first took over the reins of this theatre’s annual Christmas extravaganza back in 2006.

And why is that such good news?

Because Peter writes and directs these pantos with such childish glee and wonder, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to stop yourself from wishing that you too were five years old.

For instance, towards the end of the show, they invite the children in the audience to join the cast up on stage for a singalong.

Now, I don’t think I’m alone, or odd, in admitting I was really miffed that they only chose those with their hands up who were aged four to 10. Talk about ageism!

So let’s be clear – Jack is REAL panto, as it’s meant to be enjoyed.

There are no soap celebrities spilling out of its tinselled packaging, dragging whatever fantastical story is being told back down into the grimy, gritty streets of Weatherfield or Emmerdale.

Instead, there’s just a vastly talented cast of actors and dancers who throw their hearts, souls and funny bones into a production that positively brims with laughter, songs, and happiness (although be warned: the appearance of the giant in the second-half, while godsmackingly impressive, may prove a little scary for the very young).

Indeed, it’s the best cast I’ve seen in a long, long time. Alan French as the Dame is perfect, Chris Carswell as Jack is spot-on, Chris Larner as Fleshcreepy is gloriously fiendish (and stupid), while Laura Pitt-Pullford as Jill Longshanks should cause a lot of dads to think warmly of the show long after the final curtain has fallen.

If I could afford only one Christmas wish this year, it would be this. Perfect, cozy, brilliant and – most importantly of all – very, very funny.

Merry Christmas!