It takes Shrewsbury Pantomime just five seconds to bring the house down this year.

A tall, glittery gift-wrapped box is wheeled on centre stage and is spun round to reveal its most and outrageous creation so far - Brad Fitt's very own version of a Barbie Doll which is hideous, hilarious and ever-so-slightly naughty. The entire audience was in convulsions and stayed that way for the next two hours.

Needless to say, Barbie is looking for a Ken in the audience and for once, on press night, the Rolls Royce of Dames was nonplussed when the lights went up to find she'd picked on someone she knew!

As always, Mr Fitt blends topical jokes with all our favourite gags. No wonder someone has robbed the Fitzwarren's safe "it's a Temu one".

It's 14 years now since Evolution Pantomimes swept into town and somehow each year's show seems even better than the last. I can't claim it's the best panto in the Kingdom because I haven't seen all the rest. But it must come close. In every department.

The cast are universally exceptional. Tim Whitnall's career ranges from Godspell to The Tele Tubbies. But, I gather, he's never done panto. With his tail tied to his wrist, his King Rat is superb, glowering at the kiddies with a tongue more prehensile than Hannibal Lecter. He raps his lines with leers and grimaces and just enough fun not to be too frightening as he yearns for his proper acting years. Frankly he's so good in this, he was clearly wasted in the West End. If that really is him playing a real electric guitar, then he could give Brian May a run for his money.

The rest of the rats are quite cute and cuddly in comparison, and easy prey for The Cat, which is absolutely fantastic. She's christened Caroline in this panto which is the perfect excuse for THAT Neil Diamond song. Shrewsbury-born Izzy Charlotte Oliver is making her professional debut having been a Juvenile Dancer last time Theatre Severn did Dick Whittington 10 years ago. Her splendid black and white costume leaves her face fully  visible and Izzy's remarkable range of expressions and mannerisms perfectly counterpoint the action going on around her. Her shimmering head dress only emphasises the fact that she is constantly on the move. It's a lovely performance.

Like everyone else in the cast, she throws herself into the action with gay abandon, as does Tommy J who returns this year as Billy. He is an excellent modern-day 'cheeky chappie' with the perfect face for custard pies. Which is just as well because he is the recipient of no fewer than 25 of them during the cast's ridiculous 12 Days Of Christmas routine. We know it's coming when two of the dancers spread a waterproof sheet across the stage and Tommy does the best ever groan-joke about a tarpaulin. The sketch is so chaotic the cast are sliding about in tidal waves of shaving cream, whilst the St John's Ambulance team look on nervously. Tommy also brings his circus skills to the show. His 8 foot unicycle is another worry!

Cara Dugeon makes an excellent Fairy Bowbells. Writer Paul Hendy likes to give his fairies panache and attitude, especially when whipping up the audience. Cara, in her gold hair-bow and sneakers, has more stage energy than Taylor Swift - and a voice to match.

In Evolution Panto tradition they do like to give newbies their opportunity. Lottie Stone is spot on as Alice Fitzwarren. She is not too soppy and not too serious - and looks fetching in a beard. Her 'will-they-won't-they' scenes with Ollie Wray as Richard Henry Whittington (thus avoiding too many old jokes!) are utterly charming as they can't quite fall in love. Meanwhile, in a beautifully artistic moment, two shadowy dancers beyond the gauze act out the love scene as it ought to be, if only they were brave enough.

Mr Wray does however have to have enough bravado to ride bare-back on the giant Myrtle - the Moroccan Turtle that hovers above the stage. The kids are in awe and the grown-ups think they know how the Theatre Severn team do it until she zooms out over the front row and does a 360 degree turn. I'm still baffled - and I did 'O' level physics.

The choreography is classy and highly energetic to an exceptionally eclectic music score in the hands of Alex Turney and Shrewsbury's Matt Hall. The show's repertoire encompasses numbers by the Pet Shop Boys, The Village People and Blondie, as well as some original songs.

Finally, regular attendees shouldn't worry as the pantomime wooden bench is washed up on the shores of Morocco in the nick of time.

All in all, its a brilliant blend of stellar professionalism and family friendliness and it really, really ought not to be missed.

Five stars

Reviewed by Chris Eldon Lee at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, on Friday 5 December.
Dick Whittington continues to show at the venue until Saturday 3 January.

Photographs courtesy of Pamela Raith