For her first panto, director Rachel O’Riordan uses a tried and tested formula - with a terrific script by Alan McHugh and an outrageous performance by Barrie Hunter, who made such an impact last year on his dame debut.

Mother Goose runs a seedy Italian circus, which gives great rein to baddy Michael Moreland with a hilarious Italian-Scottish accent - he talka lotta likea thata, ye ken.

This is fast-flowing and loud and the young and young-at-heart respond in kind - always the barometer of success.

Gary McCann’s set is simple, colourful and effective as the 11-strong cast and six local youngsters belt out some musical hits (courtesy of musical director Stuart Watson) - with a few alterations to the lyrics.

Sarah McCardie makes her mark both vocally and visually as Fairy Fortune, the good in contrast to the evil of Moreland’s Diavolo.

Ewan Donald evokes both sympathy and laughs as the love-struck Carlo the clown, who attempts to win the hand of Ginny (Kirstin McLean). While Antony Strachan makes the most of his generous stature as strongman Luigi, weak at the knees in his love for Tina Tumbler (Jennifer Hainey).

And spare a thought for Joseph Mann, clad permanently in a goose costume - he somehow manages to give the creature a personality that endears her to everyone.