It started with a kiss, or in the case of Ali Baba it ends with a smacker and a lot of blushing. Katherine MacAlister meets Craig Rhys-Barlow on the eve of the Chipping Norton panto to find out what all the fuss is about.

We only have to kiss once at the end,” 23-year-old Craig tells me.

“So me and Safiya practiced it this week for the first time, and I went for it and apparently was quite forward.

“Well you can’t hold back can you,” he says grinning. “But then everyone cheered and we both blushed like red flags and it was a bit awkward, so I’ll have to get over that before we open,” he says looking slightly worried.

Sounds like the chemistry is in place then as Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves prepare to take over Chipping Norton for the panto’s six-week run, which kicks off on Tuesday.

Craig, is playing the lead, opposite Suzanne Ahmet, his slave girl fiancee Safiya and can’t wait for the fun to begin.

“It’s my first panto,” he admits. “But I’ve really landed on my feet at Chippy because their Christmas shows are full of integrity and renowned all over the country.

“And I may be the youngest cast member at 23, but hopefully that means I’ll have more energy and enthusiasm to give. I can’t see myself getting bored put it that way, even though we are doing two shows a day for six weeks, because it’s such a challenging script and Ali Baba gets himself into all sorts of scrapes. I’m still hungry for it.”

So is it all fun and games?

“Well, there are songs and jokes and cream pies but there is also a moralistic message.

“Ali is trying to buy Safiya’s freedom but by the end they realise they were happy all along and didn’t need the money.

“So it’s about valuing what you have.

“It’s not all about sweet-throwing,” he grins.

And as the entire theatre has been transformed into a bustling souk complete with palm trees and fountains, the audience will be entranced as soon as they enter.

So has Craig been to Baghdad?

“No, it’s not exactly the top holiday destination at the moment,” Craig laughs.

“But the mystique of Persia will be really magical.

“And not everyone knows the Ali Baba story, so I’m going to summon every ounce of emotion and character and really enjoy it.”

Even the kiss? “I’m just going to get stuck in,” Craig grins again, before returning back to the magical caves of Arabia and Safiya’s arms.

* Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves opens at The Theatre Chipping Norton on Tuesday and runs until January 7. And from this week, for the first time, there will also be performances on Friday and Saturday nights.

Call the box office on 01608 642350 or see chippingnorton theatre.com