Everything about the show was completely fabulous! I haven’t had such a good time for ages

Of course I loved the outrageous costumes, the fantastic footwear and the marvellous men, but for me, the star of the show was the bus. When the three main characters paint the bus, it becomes pink by virtue of a huge matrix of pink LEDs (Little Electric Doobreys) lighting up as the brushes pass over the surface. And this is just one of the amazing things which happen to the bus

The show follows the story of the film fairly closely, which is quite an impressive feat given that the film is essentially a road-movie.

If you get the chance, go and see this show. It’s fun, the outfits are incredible, and the songs are predominantly well-known disco classics. Chaps, get in touch with your feminine side and strut your funky stuff – and if you forget your feather boa you can get one in the foyer!

I haven’t just topped up my Fabulousness Quotient for the year, I’ve got enough in stock for the next ten years

I kicked off the season with Aladdin at the New Victoria theatre in Woking. I went with a whole bunch of people from work and some friends and had a rather jolly evening out

Bradley Walsh was excellent as Wishee Washee, and I particularly enjoyed the Genie of the Lamp.

I was reminded of a previous version of Aladdin which I was involved with when I used to work at the Beck Theatre in Hayes. Derek Griffiths was Ebeneezer, and he was just fantastic! “The lamp boy, the lamp! Get me the lamp!”

This particular version was written by the always excellent Stephen Fry, and featured Sandi Toksvig as the narrator (amongst other roles).

The Ugly Sisters were called Dolce and Gabbana, the result of which is I can’t see a D&G advert without collapsing into uncontrollable laughter now.

It was Sandi who pointed out that the whole point of Tesco is to keep the riff-raff out of Waitrose

The first row was mainly empty, apart from two older people right in the middle of the row. Getting a good view of the back of the conductor’s head

The headline stars were Melinda Messenger and Bobby Davro.

The show started out reasonably well, but when Bobby Davro arrived the whole thing was completely transformed for the better. He was Really Funny! He really made the show sizzle.

In the second half, Bobby appeared in a giant kangaroo costume (don’t ask!) to do the sing along section of the show. I had to stand up, turn around and lead the Dads in our part of the song As I turned round there seemed to be an enormous number of faces in front of me. Fortunately the follow spot was deployed on me, so I couldn’t see much more than the stalls

Ever since I was a small boy, probably at the first panto I ever went to (we went on a coach up to London, I think) I’ve been terrified of being picked out of the audience. Well now I’ve managed that hurdle and there were no problems at all – it was all very good fun

The last thing I expected from the panto was personal development

So, it’s an excellent pantomime, and if you’re incredibly quick you just might be able to get tickets for the last night, later today (Sunday 22nd Jan. 2006).

Here’s a link to the New Victoria theatre.