Hi-tech panto is a family treat!

From the archive, first published Saturday 9th Dec 2006.

Nobody could look more at home flying above the Alhambra audience on a magic carpet than Billy Pearce.

Billy's back in Bradford and the audience was delighted.

From the moment he burst out of a cardboard box with his trademark greeting of "Hiya kids!" the Yorkshire funnyman had the audience in his grip.

Billy looked genuinely touched at the roaring reception he got from the packed house and his boundless energy kept the show racing along.

And what a show! With a loveable cartoon genie, a magic carpet floating over the audience and 3-D rocks, bats and spiders flying into our faces, this was a thrilling ride through Aladdin's cave. Audience interaction went well beyond the usual "He's behind you" and sing-alongs - in this show you get to rub Aladdin's lamp and fly on the magic carpet.

Fast-moving scenes included an enchanting oriental garden and Widow Twanky's wacky laundry, and stunning colour co-ordinated costumes added Vegas-style glamour.

There was the fabulous acrobatic Ganbat Troupe, an amusing Sumo fight, and illusionist Philip Hitchcock making a cage full of birds disappear.

Great performances all round, especially Billy as Aladdin, Lila McConigley as a delightful Princess Jasmine, Gary Sharkey as deliciously camp villain Abanazar and Bobby Bennett as Widow Twanky, looking uncannily like Cilla from Corrie.

Well done too to the cute Sunbeams from the Sara Packham School of Dance. A fabulous family treat. Runs until January 28.