Pantomime proper features songs, slapstick, drag artists, topical gags and audience participation, loosely based on a fairy tale. It is a form of classical theatre – Harlequin comes from the commedia dell’arte – combining comedy, tragedy and sex.

Brian Ralfe’s alternative adult Brighton pantomime is actually the real thing, just much ruder and funnier than most – alternative might be the choice of Robin Hood, although WS Gilbert wrote a version in 1867.

Cock Robin And His Very Merry Men gives endless excuse for double entendres, gleefully seized upon by a cast of stalwart friars, Little John and Will Scarlett, alias an off-duty Marine.

It wasn’t always clear if Maid Marion and Nurse Gladys, hilariously impersonated by Lee Tracey and Phil Harliqueen, were speaking lines or making it up as they went along but they had us – and each other – in hysterics.

The Sheriff of Nottingham can really sing and Fairy Fabulous, Sherwood Forest local transvestite, teetering about in lamé, belted out Tina Turner and Liza Minnelli to roars of applause.

Ralfe himself, robed and tonsured, kept up a silent running gag with placards for the audience which can’t possibly be repeated in a family newspaper.

Oh yes they can: oh no they can’t.