ONE of the best things about the festive season is the pantomime, and the Oxford Playhouse’s Aladdin does not let us down.

This year’s pantomime has been written and directed by Steve Marmion, the artistic director of Soho Theatre, and previously director of the pantomimes at Lyric Hammersmith.

His Aladdin is a modern take on the classic story from the Arabian Nights.

And modern it certainly is. There’s talk of austerity, an X Factor style competition, selfies and a feminist princess with a Scottish accent.

The music is great; Push It, I’ve Got a Feeling to name a couple, and bursts from the Simpson’s theme tune.

As you would expect they are plenty of jokes and comedy moments. Widow Twanky, played by actor Nigel Betts, of ITV’s Emmerdale and BBC 2’s Boy Meets Girl, is great fun and certainly seemed to be enjoying his debut as a pantomime dame.

While Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee, played by Nathan Bryon, ensured plenty of ‘howls’.

For me, and many others, the most dazzling moment was the magic carpet ride. Aladdin, played by Adam Samuel-Bal, and the Princess, Kiran Sonia Sawar, were swept around the stage in a moment that was totally mesmerising.

Another character worthy of a mention is the evil Abanazer, played brilliantly by Paul Barnhill.

He had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand just as any pantomime baddie should – every time he came out on stage the place erupted with boos and hisses.

However, despite Abanazer trying his evil best to take over the land, good prevails and there is a happy ending, and a wedding.

The show also features 20 young people from Oxford who make up Aladdin Young Company and they all did a brilliant job.

The playhouse doors opened earlier this month, and Aladdin will run until Sunday, January 10.

Tickets start at £15 and are available on 01865 305305 or online at oxfordplayhouse.com.