Once again the New Wimbledon Theatre pulled out all the stops with its panto offering of Aladdin complete with flying carpet, brilliant costumes, catchy tunes, great gags and impressive 3D technology.

The theatre is well-known for attracting big names for its annual festive offering with Have I Got News for You star Paul Merton the star of the show as the queen of all the panto dames Widow Twankey.

The venue was packed and the audience was buzzing with anticipation as they waited in anticipation to cheer, hiss and boo in traditional panto-style.

Abanazar (Adam Pearce) sets the scene as the perfect panto villain as he tracks down Aladdin, played by the attractive Lee Ryan the former Blue boyband pin up, in his quest for the magic lamp.

Wishee Washee (Pete Firman) is excellent as his hapless and blundering brother whose constant interaction with the audience with gags and the occasional magic trick keeps the laughs flowing throughout.

The songs and choreography are impressively put together as is the stage presence of Widow Twanky, clearly the star of the show. There are references to Have I Got News for You and his summary of the night’s preoceedings in Just A Minute style was impressive and received one of the loudest cheers on the night.

The sets were marvellous and included a magic carpet hovering over the audience while a life size ‘pony’ stomps on to the stage, as were the colourful costumes, but the biggest thumbs up must go to the jaw-dropping 3D special effects.

The audience was treated to a 10-miute ride through a cave with spiders, rats, rocks and mummies flying in all direction and into the cowering faces of mums, dads, boys and girls.

The cast deservedly got a standing ovation at the end and if you want to catch the show, you have until January 6. For ticket details go to atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre