THE Full House sign went up on six consecutive nights for this show, proof indeed, if any were needed, that the popularity of the St Katharine's Stratford Players' annual Easter panto remains undiminished, and in fact, seems to increase every year.

This year's offering at St Katharine's Church Hall was an adaptation of the Arabian Night's tale, Aladdin, and was scripted by one of their stalwarts, the late Dave Barrat.

It was, as usual, an evening to savour, one in which you could just sit back, forget your cares and woes for a couple of hours, and revel in the fun and excitement.

Aladdin simply took your breath away, filled with laughter, fun, surprises and a selection of songs to delight any musical ear.

And how could I fail to be beguiled by this year's song content, which included classics by ELO…Status Quo…Eddie Cochrane...and George Formby...they alone would've sent me home deliriously happy.

But there was so much more to enjoy, as the ‘Players' threw themselves into their respective roles with great gusto and verve, each of them playing their parts well.

There was something to cater for all tastes.

The love story of the penniless son of a washerwoman and a beautiful Princess; a pair of moronic cops, who made imbeciles seem like MENSA candidates; an array of lovely dancers; special effects heralding the arrival of lamp and ring genies; splendidly contrasting sets, and colourful costumes that simply took your breath away. It was awesome stuff.

In all pantos there are two "larger-than-life" characters...and in Aladdin it's the dame, Widow Twankey, and the evil magician, Abanazar.

Stepping into Dave Barrat's shoes was well known Pembrokeshire entertainer, Stuart Rogers, who, despite being severely stricken by a severe chest and throat infection, which sadly deprived us of his exceptional singing voice, more than made up for it like a hardened super trouper, and excelled in his newly found dameship flamboyance.

Then came the Big Nasty, Abanazar, portrayed by the polished professionalism of Geraint Sayers, who gave a performance oozing contemptuous evil with such dominating power, that one or two of the younger members of the audience were sent burrowing into the warmth and safety of their mothers' bosoms.

It was another great panto, and undoubtedly deserved that string of FULL HOUSE signs.

The St Katharine Stratford Players dedicated this year's panto to the memory of Dave Barrat, and, seeing that it's been left it in safe hands, I know he would have been so proud of his family and friends who make up this unique group.

The Cast: Aladdin: Hannah Mayne. Princess Rose.... Natalie Thomas. So Shi............. Jasmin Khan. Abanazar......... Geraint Sayers Wishy Washy... Andrew Lewis Su-Lin...... Sally Hicks; Widow Twankey...... Stuart Rogers; Inky Poo... Viv Barrat Wong Wei... James Seldon. Slave of the Ring ... Saul Bayjoo, Genie of the lamp... Thomas Carew, Emperor... Eddie Davies, Grand vizier... David Woodham, Mother Hubbard... Tania Shaw, Mummy... Arron Davies, Jewels…Shannon Davies, Sophie James, Megan Kersey, Alicia Thomas; Dancers...Megan Gough, Jasmine John, Jess Kenniford, Finley McDonald, Hollie Phillips.

Chorus…Caitlyn Arran, Arron Davies, Casey Davies, Shannon Davies, Jake George, Harvey Griffiths, Megan Gough, Sophie James, Lauren Jenkins, Jasmine John, Jess Kenniford, Megan Kersey, Mackenzie King, Megan Lloyd, Bethan Lilley, Daniel Light, Finley McDonald, Oliver Newbold, Thomas O'Leary, Eleanor Price, Hollie Phillips, Alicia Thomas, Hannah Venables, George Venables, Toby Williams, Malachy Zipperlen, Sonny Zipperlen .

The music man....Arron Evans