The Oxford Playhouse maintains its reputation for top-quality panto with a colourful, tuneful and exuberantly entertaining production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Under the practised hand of writer/director Peter Duncan, who has had charge of the last three Playhouse pantos, the show gives us the much-loved story as expected, complete with Buttercup the Cow, magic beans and the rest. A difference comes after the interval, though, with the introduction of a sci-fi element through the transformation of the terrifying Giant Blunderbore (Richard Stacey) into a one-eyed monster ruling over Cyber City.

Full marks to the technical wizards of Jag Props for supplying such a vast and convincing villain. Naturally, of course, Blunderbore proves no match for the plucky Jack Trott (Chris Carswell). Having rescued his fellow villagers from the giant’s thrall, he is entirely deserving of the hand of the squire’s daughter, Jill (Laura Pitt-Pulford).

One wonders, though, what poor Squire Longshanks (Richard Stacey) has done to deserve his ‘prize’, Jack’s less-than-lovely mother, Dame Trott (Alan French). But while they might not be entirely happy ever after, this won’t be through lack of laughter, for this dame is a real hoot.

There are strong performances on offer from the whole cast and strongest of all, I thought, from Chris Larner as Blunderbore’s chief gofer, Fleshcreepy. This brummy rock ’n’ roller is hilariously disguised at different moments in the plot as a diminutive east European peasant and a stuck-up farming type, both given splendid comic accents. There is rib-tickling work, too, from Matthew Fraser Holland as Jack’s differently abled brother, Jack.

Musical director Darren Reeves and his band power along the excellent musical numbers. Songs range from the cheery opener of The Beatles’ Good Day Sunshine to the gloomy grandiloquence of King Crimson’s The Court of the Crimson King, used to set the scene in Blunderbore’s domain. Yes, I think Mr Reeves – or more likely Mr Duncan – has been digging through his stack of oldies!

l Until January 17. Tel: 01865 305305 (www.oxfordplayhouse.com).