Hold on tight . . . Wycombe Swan’s Aladdin is a breathtaking, rollercoaster of a ride, thanks largely to some stunning 3D effects, which will have you dodging imaginary but very lifelike bats, spiders and other equally unsavoury creatures, as well as whisking you off for a journey on a magic carpet. At times it’s more like being at the cinema than the theatre, but believe me, it’s one hell of an experience.

Add to that some gorgeous Oriental costumes, lively choreography, slick one-liners and all the other traditional panto ingredients, and you have a show that is a riot of colour, spectacle and laugh-a-minute humour.

Shane Ritchie (right) is its charismatic star, who plays the hero with bucketloads of flair and flamboyance. His sons, Shane Jr and Jake, play Aladdin’s brothers, Wishee and Washee, and they have clearly inherited dad’s talent. Particularly memorable is their skit on X-Factor’s Jedward, but there are many other fun bits, all delivered with style and confidence.

The Ritchies are not the only ones to impress. Chook Sibtain is magnificent as the wicked Abanazar, and he dominates the stage whenever he appears. Christopher Chilton is equally compelling as Widow Twankey; as panto dames go this is as traditional as they come, and Chilton clearly relishes all the clowning around. Peter Piper raises plenty of laughs in the dual roles of PC Pong and his brother, the Emperor of China, while Hannah Grover is charming as Princess Jasmin, Aladdin’s love interest who innocently swaps his old lamp for a sparkling new one from the scheming Abanazar.

There’s also some incredible aerial acrobatics from the Gambat Troupe, an octet of Mongolian circus artistes who will have you gasping in amazement as they perform a series of stunning feats.

This is a highly polished, energetic and fun-filled evening that will leave you wanting more. Unmissable.

Aladdin continues at the Wycombe Swan until January 10. Box office: 01494 512000 or visit www.wycombeswan.co.uk