Prepare to blinded by bling at this production, where the set, costumes and all come encrusted in gold.

A scene from Aladdin at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne

The north east’s biggest pantomime regularly features as the fastest-selling panto in the country. Expectations are high - as are ticket prices.

Michael Harrison is in his eighth year as writer, director and executive producer of the annual Theatre Royal pantomime, along with stars Clive Webb (Mr Twankey) and Danny Adams (Aladdin). Chris Hayward is fabulous as the Empress of China, all dazzling costumes - designed by the actor - and just a touch of the Sarah Millican. To be fair, though, Hayward has been in the business two decades longer. In another production, he would be the star, but tonight the show belongs to Danny Adams. His usual, successful double act with father Clive Webb has been adjusted so that Webb plays a slightly more minor role, while Adams brings enormous energy and comic talent to the stage. His brother, Michael Potts, plays a miserable, mute Laundry Boy and is the perfect down note to Adams’ high octane.

Far removed from the actors’ anarchy, the other star tonight is the special effects. From an enormous moving cobra to a flying carpet, this is polished, spectacular theatre designed to set the senses alight.