Maybe it was the fact that this production was performed away from the normal pantomime season at Christmas but the audience at the first night of 'Aladdin' needed some initial energising to get them into panto mode. Once they did this there was tremendous fun to be had by the sizeable audience (with a large contingent of children enjoying a half term treat) and the usual expected responses to the action (' He's behind you .......Oh yes he is.....' ) came thick and fast.

This was pantomime in the traditional sense with the lead boy played by a girl (the impressive Lee-Rose Walsh), an evil Abanazar (cue boos) played by Chris Powell and the dame (Gerald Needs)all characterising their various roles enthusiastically. There was a stream of gags (the cornier the better) and plenty of topical references to local institutions and landmarks - from the Transporter bridge to Newport County to 'Wildings' store. There was also plenty of opportunity for audience participation,usually led by Newport's hilarious answer to the Keystone Cops - Kerry Morgan and Natasha Bretton as Hung-Li and Hung-Lo - or by the outstandingly energetic and effusive Wishee Washee (Ryan Salter) who acted as the hub of much of the high jinks.

There was also colour aplenty,especially in the dance routines provided by the young dancers from the Vanessa Clarke School of dance as well as from eyecatching genie Nathan Taylor and excellent Emperor and Princess Jasmine (Julian Powell and Lisa Davies). Musical numbers included an excellent duet from Aladdin and his love interest Jasmine and chorus versions of many wellknown songs such as Ellie Golding's 'Burn' .

The society should be congratulated for keeping the pantomime tradition alive at The Dolman.

'Aladdin' runs until Saturday with a matinee on Saturday afternoon.