Colourful, clever and contagiously funny — The Sinodun Players have created a top-notch production of Aladdin to bring out the child in us all, writes Daisy O'Halloran.

Pantomime is a distinctly British tradition where the audience relaxes its stiff upper lip for the evening and enjoys singing, dancing, slapstick, cross-dressing, topical references and Carry On-style innuendo.

And the Corn Exchange in Wallingford provides us with all of this in abundance this month. What’s not to love? The full cast has such commitment and energy that the audience can’t help but be entertained. The love-struck couple of Aladdin and the Princess — played by Rebecca Cleverley and Ella Shephard — are beautifully presented with some accomplished harmonies in their romantic duet. Battling to stop this romance is the wicked Abanaza (Alex Watts) who had comedy villain down to a tee and produced an envious evil laugh!

The chorus of young dancers is step-perfect throughout in a variety of tough routines choreographed by Leah Davis. All train with Dance Connections and show professionalism and skill.

But the star of the show has to be Aladdin’s brother Wishee-Washee, played by Fiona Prince. Fiona was fantastic with quirky movements and faces, great comic timing and instinctive audience interaction — she must be congratulated.

When coupled with veteran dame David Simmons as Widow Twankey at her side, they were a double act of dreams. Look out for the washing machine scene — a classic!

Amateur productions are always given the respect they should have but it makes it even funnier that the Dame is a banker 9-5!

For an evening of escapism — go and see this show. And to the cast, production team and crew — thank you for cheering up my January evening.

Until January 28. Tickets from the Corn Exchange box office, 01491 825000, or the website (www.cornexchange.org.uk).

Daisy O’Halloran