Robert Wright throughly enjoys Dick Whittington, this year's panto offering at Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal

There is something for everyone in this fun-packed and extremely entertaining family pantomime. It is packed with great music ranging from Queen's We are the Champions to the odd sea shanty or two, a bit of Take That with Greatest Day and so much more. These will keep your toes tapping and hands clapping.

The characters are not only colourful - especially of course the outrageous Dame - but are very well cast and the stage chemistry is magical. Talking of which, it was left to Sarah Lawn in the guise of Fairy Pearl to keep the magical and reality together.

Chris Clarkson was a natural Dame and soon warmed to the audience, with one guy finding he had a lap full whether he liked it or not.

A clear hero was Corey Cross as Tommy the Cat who meowed his way through the show in seamless manner. Jessica Spalis proved an excellent Dick Whittington and provided a local Suffolk take on this character.

Now you normally have the one baddie but this panto provides you with two. Tom Roberts as the self-appointed evil Reginald Ratfield revelled in the boos and hisses that are customary with the role. However, his cheeky sidekick Nibbles (Nerine Skinner) was naughty, in a nice and definitely hilarious way.

Love came in the form of Dick falling for (well it was pretty mutual) Alice (Tessa Kadler).After a slight hiccup of major proportions which they overcame in true pantomime tradition, the couple went on to greater things.

I adored the Seabed scene with fluorescent marine life mingling in the dark depths with the shipwrecked cast to the music 'The Sharkie Sings Tonight'.

An umbrella might be useful if you are in the stooge seats but - heigh-ho - that's all part of the fun, isn't it? The musical conductor wisely came suitably prepared with a colourful number which proved water pistol-proof.

So there are plenty of puns and innuendos but nothing to offend. And what a great way to get into the festive spirit.

Dick Whittington - The Panto continues until January 14