The gas may be aff, but the water supply to Widow Twankey’s launderette is gushing. Just ask the front row of Falkirk Town Hall who on the opening night of Imagine Theatre and Falkirk Community Trust’s second successive professional pantomime Aladdin were not only puddling the floor with tears of laughter but dripping from the hair to the flair in soapy suds after being repeatedly squirted by a brace of scooshy guns which swelled in size in tandem with the volume of the laughter.

A pantomime is only as good as its dame. And Falkirk have won a watch as big as the steeple in Craig Glover whose comic timing, effortless delivery and easy rapport with the audience are more than ample to fill the sparkling stilettos of the buxom Dolly Twankey. And in addition to nailing a conveyor-belt of one-liners (a particular favourite being her range of Stenhousemuir FC lingerie, so-named because it has “very little support and nae cups”), both he and his Duracell-powered sidekick Scott Watson as “The Great Wally of China” Wishee-Washee are no more in their element than when Eric Potts’ fine script goes south. Which it does. Often. And hilariously so.

The top-of-the-bill attractions of director Stuart Bird’s tight, pacy and energetic show are “television star” Libby McArthur and “Falkirk’s own” Barbra Bryceland – both of whom perform admirably, particularly Bryceland who after making her panto debut in last year’s Cinderella compliments her powerful singing voice with a more assured delivery of badum-tish punchlines – and Emily Cochrane, Derek McGhie and Ross Jamieson offer stellar support as the straight-laced Jasmine, boo-hiss Abanazer and handsome Aladdin respectively. The theatrical set-piece being the latter’s ride on a magic carpet (no pun intended) which is truly impressive.

But without a shadow of a doubt (and without a hint of a beard) the star of the show is Glover who as “The Glaswegian Glamazon” Reba Martell fought off stiff competition to win “Scotland’s Best Drag Queen”. (I presume the former UKIP candidate for Falkirk David Coburn was, ahem, tied up.) Though particular mention must also go to the Junior Ensemble under the skillful choreography of Lainie Bentall who unlike many other local dancing troupes are integrated throughout and more than earn their place on the professional stage. As does the two-man band of drummer Colin McGibbon and musical director Antony Irwin who judging by the hoots of laughter emanating from the pit were enjoying the show as much as the audience. What a gas!

Peter Callaghan
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