Tommy Cannon, as the Captain, and Bobby Ball, as First Mate, had new routines and jokes, and had the audience on Friday laughing as they arrived dancing to Gangnam Style. A highlight is the ping-pong sketch, played on an invisible table. Another is the storybook routine — getting the audience to shout every time cowboys, indians, sheriffs and chiefs were mentioned.

Peter Amory makes a wonderfully evil, King Rat, dressed all in black, and arriving on stage through the sewers. His booming voice worked a treat and we even got to see him sing Be Prepared.

Nicola Weeks is a lively Dick Whittington. She has a great singing voice and legs to die for. Natalie Sexton seems to be the busiest person on stage switching roles from the delightful, rhyming Fairy Bow Bells, to the American-speaking Cat.

Steve Barclay wears outrageous costumes as Sarah The Cook, Richard Tate is comical as the forgetful Alderman Fitzwarren and Neve Breen is the pretty Alice Fitzwarren. Patrick McGrath and Antony Law make brief appearances as the Sultan Of Morocco and Vizier.

The show is directed at a fast pace by Ian Dickens, with a script by Chris Moreno, lively music by Toby Kennedy and dynamic choreography by Stuart Glover, performed by the villagers.

However, it is the rotating sailing ship that steals the show, drawing gasps from the audience. This magical panto continues to January 13, but don’t worry, Cannon and Ball will be back next year in Robin Hood — DAB.