PANTOMIME is a great British tradition, although generally associated with Christmas, but for the last few years Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre has played host to an increasingly successful Easter Panto, writes Times theatre critic Kerry Black.

This year it was Peter Pan, complete with glittering sets, a giant man-eating crocodile, lovely dancers, hordes of kids and all the usual panto nonsense, it was a real crowd pleaser. Headed up once again by the outrageous Bobby Davro, who describes himself as the only 80’s TV star not to be arrested, this was a highly entertaining evening.

Retaining most of last year’s cast, they had children’s TV star Dani Harmer as a charming Wendy and Mark James as Davro’s daft sidekick Starkey, while Andrew Fleming returned to play the dual role of Mr Darling and the scenery chewing Captain Hook.

Art Attack presenter Lloyd Warbey played Peter Pan who actualy flew, as did a very menacing spider while Jane Ogilvie completed the principal cast as Mrs Darling/Tiger Lily. The biggest advantage of an Easter panto is that the audiences enter and leave the theatre in sunshine!

Peppered with great songs and lively dance routines plus a massive cast of local children, this had every cheesy joke you expect from a traditional pantomime, with beautiful costumes too. There is no denying that Davro is the star of the show, his finale routine inside a giant bouncing kangaroo costume truly walked the plank between hilarity and smut, as he had the entire Alhambra audience on their feet singing and dancing along. In an unusual twist, the dancers were also acrobats and trampolined about the stage.

A feel good show for all ages, Peter Pan was well received. Hopefully these audiences will return to see The Alhambra’s own pantomime this Christmas,which they have announced as Aladdin! Oh yes they have!