It’s time to get your laughing gear on for the return of theatre troupe Gonzo Moose to the Pegasus Theatre. Following last Christmas’s show Grim and Grimmer I was in high expectation of what they would devise next and I have not been disappointed. This festive season they have brought us What the Dickens? a witty and off-beat story of the misadventures of the young and inexperienced reporter Charles Dickens (played by comic genius Mark Conway) and how he foils a dastardly attempt to assasinate the Prime Minister. The show is chock-full of Gonzo’s trademark clowning, dramatic storytelling, comedy turns, songs and dancing. It’s a breathless two-hour romp guided faultlessly by director Abigail Anderson, who along with the cast, wrote the extremely clever script. The set design by Mandy Dike and Ben Rigby is a marvellous Dickensian confection of alleyways, rooftops, spooky asylums and fog. The cast make the utmost use of this quirky space, scampering, frolicking and gambolling along at a great pace. Emily Murphy – who plays a variety of roles – is alternately captivating and bizarre, and sometimes both at once. She has an excellent voice and a comic presence that is second to none. The last, but by no means least, of the trio of performers is Neil Haigh whose multiple characterisations are superb. These include a pair of twins – one who is mad the other sane – but which is which? The show is playing until December 30 – and if you fancy some non-panto theatrical entertainment this yuletide then this is the show for you.

Opening night coincided with the Pegasus’s 50th anniversary and to celebrate their achievements the Pegasus Youth Theatre performed a series of charming Victorian vignettes around the building. The whole evening really demonstrated what the Pegasus is all about. FOUR STARS Until December 30, box office 01865 812150 (www.pegasustheatre.org.uk)