ALISON CROOSE For the 13th year Keith Hopkins is the perfect pantomime dame, full of energy and fun and with another wardrobe full of outrageous costumes.

ALISON CROOSE

High decibels are a measure of a successful pantomime – and by that reckoning this is in the premier division.

For the 13th year Keith Hopkins is the perfect pantomime dame, full of energy and fun and with another wardrobe full of outrageous costumes.

'Appy Hopkins reckons this is his final panto at the resort, but it is difficult to imagine it without him.

His popularity was as great as ever when he bounded on stage for the first of 50 performances which continue at the Princess Theatre until January 6

As director, Hopkins has the formula for family entertainment, with colour, spectacle and non-stop audience participation.

He has lined up an excellent team, with Paul Carpenter a talented and engaging Tommy Trot and Andrew Fettes making a return as Freshcreep, the baddie we love to hate.

The cast includes two young West Norfolk people who have embarked on a career in the theatre – James Thurston (King Dotty) and Lucy Crane (Fairy True).

Adding their strengths are Verona Chard (Princess Verona) and Emma Bentley (Jack Trot) plus an excellent team of dancers from the Jane Ashley-Emile Theatre Dance School.

Musical director David Hale and percussionist John Roscoe make a vital contribution.