''Nothing is real,'' said John Lennon. And that was before they named an airport after him.

So coming across Ono Airport (above us only possessions) who offer China Crisis flights seems feasible.

This is the type of surreal encounter you will find at the Royal Court's OTT seasonal offering.

We are greeted by a panda on a drum kit playing In the Air Tonight.

For the past seven years writer Fred Lawless has treated us all to puns, local connections, inspired film themes and slapstick as well as pop and rock sounds from his record collection.

He has gone on to work on other projects for a while, so Royal Court guru-in-chief Kevin Fearon has battered his laptop to write this year's flight of frenetic fancy.

Kevin has kept a lot of the familiar funny formula, but has clearly stamped his own mark on the script here directed by Bob Eaton.

Kevin, a one time stand-up comedian, is responsible exceutive producer and he has brought many smash hit shows to the warm and welcoming self-financing venue.

Their pre-show dining feature is still the best in the region.

kevin knows his audience well and how they lap up the Court's own brand of Christmas show entertainment. 

The formidable gang are all here - apart from Eithne Browne and Michael Starke who are appearing down the road at the Playhouse in their Xmas Show Star.

Past Royal Court shows have seen the madcap ensemble in Outer Space and the Wild West.

They are now in the Far East where a plot to "nuclear attack" Liverpool is underway master-minded by an ex-pat, failed actor called Kim Yung Gun, a Scouser living in North Korea.

Film inspirations here include an incongruous mix of Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, The Deerhunter and The Wizard of Oz. There's also a parody of a famous West End show called Spud Brothers.

So all in all it's a bit like a visual jigsaw - you watch as the pieces are being put together. But there are definitely some plot pieces missing.

One thing is certain - the adage there's no place like home features in every Court Christmas show.

Characters include: Claire Crow in curlers (Lindzi Germain who barks out barking mad one-liners) cowardly liar in the form of track-suited Mr T Inman (Michael Ledwitch).

You get the picture as they click ruby boots along the great yellow brick road of sorts.

Andrew Schofield is heads apart - he certainly puts his neck out in a bizarre jail sequence singing Accentuate the Positive - very Pythonesque.

Alan Stocks enjoys himself as mad-as a huge-Hatter dictator with a chip on his shoulder. He wants revenge for the humiliation he suffered in the theatre world.

Hayley Hampson is as confident as ever as Daisy and she provides a highlight - a version of the Smiths' song Let Me Get What I Want with her on stage hubby Boris (Michael Fletcher.) Jake Abraham is under-used a 70s throw-back, deluded disco dancer whos character is rather pointless.

Versatile Keddy Sutton returns this time as pilot Carrie Oke who belts out Cilla's Step Inside Luv.

And Andrew Schofield in four roles steals the show with two of them. The audience love Drew and he is always the ace card.

Musical Director Howard Gray provides a cracking band of LIPA talent who appear on designer Foxton's basic but atmospheric two-tier set.

But he does manage to get a few trademark Liver Birds and a Superlambanana on display at the Emerald Palace. The show contains very strong language.

Recommended age limit is 16 plus. It's not a panto - we are warned by Mr Stocks in full rant.

I am now musing on next year's show could it be....Jurrasic Stanley Park or Harry Otterspool and the Goblin of Guinness?

Or am I dreaming like the characters in this production?

Nothing is real, you were so right, Mr Lennon

Globe verdictL Three Stars. 

Until Saturday January 14, 2017.

Tickets: www.royalcourtliverpool.com or call 0151 709 4321