THE charm of old Peking combines with all the wit and banter of the valleys to make for a very entertaining panto.

Aladdin is this year's offering by Rainbow Valley Productions with Owen Money and it's fun to watch from start to finish.

Owen makes sure that everyone is laughing non-stop as he comes out with his usual never-ending stream of gags and jokes,both old and new.

As Wishy Washy, brother of Aladdin he loves to improvise and keeps the audience, and occasionally the rest of the cast, in stitches.

All cast members give strong performances especially Dick Bradnum as panto dame Widow Twankey, Samantha Link as the genie,Peter Lewis as baddie Abanazar and Sammi Broad in the title role with her lovely singing voice - and there are lots of chances for some lively audience participation!

The New Cottage Dancers are well-rehearsed in all their routines and it was great to see a live band with Ian Kimber on keyboards and Ben Richards on drums, rather than backing tracks!

The show is on at Blackwood Miners Institute until December 30th - don't miss it.