The stage was set, seats were full, the lights dimmed and the first sounds we heard were collective boos.

There are certain perils when portraying a pantomime villain and Michael Mullin’s Abanazer definitely took his fair share of bullying.

Throughout The Wight Strollers' Aladdin, a recurring joke meant not a single person got his name correct - leading to calls of 'banana' and (the Welsh city of) 'Aberystwyth'. 

The hero of the piece, Aladdin, played by Kelly Hole was, of course, among the first on stage. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Kelly Hole as our hero, Aladdin. Ches Checkley as Genie of the Lamp.Kelly Hole as our hero, Aladdin. Ches Checkley as Genie of the Lamp. (Image: The Wight Strollers/Paul Bird.)

Isle of Wight County Press: John Woodford as Widow Twankey.John Woodford as Widow Twankey. (Image: The Wight Strollers/Paul Bird.)

It wouldn't be panto with The Dame and John Woodford's Widow Twankey performance was clearly aimed at the adults in the audience, in traditional style. 

Meanwhile, it was left to PCs Wong and Pong (Rebecca Finch and Patrick Barry) to break the fourth wall and provide the personal and direct moments. 

Cheers could be heard when the dedications list was read out, giving shout-outs for Brownie troops and birthdays.

The Wight Strollers production promised 'the most magical carpet ride of all, on a journey to Old Peking.'

Proceeds from last weekend and this weekend's shows are going to Isle of Wight charities and good causes.

Early on, Abanazer told us he was the 'only magician in Egypt'  - even declaring he had made Isle of Wight magic aficionados Huxley and David Randini disappear.

Isle of Wight County Press: Young performers in The Wight Strollers' Aladdin.Young performers in The Wight Strollers' Aladdin. (Image: The Wight Strollers/Paul Bird/)

Isle of Wight County Press: Princess Lotus, Beth Mansell and Kelly Hole as Aladdin.Princess Lotus, Beth Mansell and Kelly Hole as Aladdin. (Image: The Wight Strollers/Paul Bird.)

The rest of the play was set in China (cue David Kast as the Emperor and Beth Mansell as Princess Lotus) and of course there was THE lamp.

Discovered by Aladdin, after three rubs Ches Checkley appeared as our Genie.

Checkley provided some of the most entertaining jokes of the whole performance - notably the chat-up lines.

There were plenty of panto laughs, from jokes at the expense of an audience member and a dig at MP Bob Seely, to a somewhat risqué joke about a Chinese man with one-leg. 

The most enthusiastic character was Wishee-Washee (Daisy-Mae Croain).

Isle of Wight County Press:

Rebecca Finch, Keira Barry, Beth Mansell, Patrick Barry

While clad in an outfit that made me think of Enid Blyton’s Noddy, her genuinely energetic nature lifted the mood of the entire auditorium. 

Overall, Emily Scotcher's latest directorial feature was uplifting, provided many sing-a-longs and delivered a happily ever after for one of our favourite fictional characters.

We even got to see a flying carpet!