A warning for the women of Kings Langley: Lock up your husbands, there's a Pantomime Dame in town.

Flamboyantly dressed and with an eye for a strapping hunk, Widow Twankey is on the look out for love and won't let anyone stand in her way.

Lucky for me then that she stole the heart of Jim from Chorleywood as I saw the Kings Langley Players perform the third of their five run pantomime Aladdin at the Community Centre, The Nap, last Saturday.

And it was Brian Hanley, who made more costume changes than the biggest Hollywood diva on Oscar night, who stole the show as the loveable matriarch.

In a production filled with quick-fire banter, double entendres and tongue twisting dialogue, he starred alongside Carl Yates, a perfect Wishee Washee to keep the kids entertained, and Guy Peskin's evil Abanazaar, who may still have boo's ringing in his ears.

As with any panto, the audience took part with seasonal gusto. The dozens of children that filled the audience screamed and shouted as they followed Aladdin's (Julie Edgar) fight to defeat the evil Abanazaar and win the heart of Princess So-Shi, played by Zoë Sofair.

Some fathers, however, were betrayed by their deep voices as they lost themselves in the fairytale and could be heard bellowing “Wishee!” or “It's behind you!” half a beat faster than anyone under 12.

This was a fantastic production from director Stephen Wells, who utilised a very funny script from local author Chris Jordan.

But a special mention must also be made to Clive Swan, Alex Bamford and Ollie Glaze, the excellent musicians who kept the show moving at a brisk and lively pace.