It's panto time again, oh yes it is.

And Brighton has been invaded by cross-dressing dames, camp heroes and a riot of colourful costumes - it's like Pride with baubles.

Performing at the Theatre Royal, X Factor finalist Chico and Eighties pop star Toyah Wilcox head up a strong cast in panto favourite Aladdin.

Chico puts in an earnest performance as Aladdin, really putting his all into the role.

The younger members of the audience adore him and his Chico Time finale even has the grown-ups dancing in the aisles.

Toyah Wilcox plays both the Genie of the Lamp and the Genie of the Ring. Her performance is technically faultless but the only sparks when she appears on stage are the pyrotechnics used to indicate her bursting out of the lamp.

The real star of the show is Granville Saxton's Abanazar.

He clearly relishes the role and has the children jumping out of their seats to boo him.

He also holds the show together when things go wrong.

When Chico gets a bout of the giggles, Saxton raises a laugh and gets him back on track with a Simon Cowell mantra and when the show suffers a set malfunction, it's better than if everything was running smoothly.

Jon Clegg's Wishee Washee has a great rapport with the audience and is the children's favourite but that might be to do with the sweets he catapults into the audience.

American Jennifer Hubilla is a beautiful Princess Jasmine and puts in a fine performance in her very first pantomime but David Alder's Dame is a bit tame for me - he didn't manage to fill his stilettos with enough naughtiness.

The set design is top-notch and the flying carpet scene magical enough to please even the most cynical mums and dads. Everyone should see a pantomime at Christmas and Aladdin at the Theatre Royal is a good choice. Chico is a real entertainer and by the end of the performance you'll be shouting along with him, what time is it?

It's panto time.

  • until Jan 14, call 08700 606650