WAS it the last panto for 2017 or the first for 2018?

One thing is certain, it wouldn't be a Wirral festive period without the annual pantomime from The Chrysanthemums Pantomime Society  company now celebrating 100 years of wonderful achievement on stage and off it with their fundraising.

Their first ever show was in 1918 and was The Slave of the Lamp.

A century on it's Aladdin. They have lost none of their enthusiasm and magic 100 years on.

A sold-out Floral Pavilion audience was certainly in the mood for the last of a successful four-day run.

And this was indeed a traditional panto in every sense of the word with a flying carpet and an aerial fairy.

Every person on stage was clearly out to have a good time and these in turn made waves throughout the aisles for the whole three-hour show.

It was lovingly produced and directed by Julie Delaney and Graham Leigh (also the writer).

Musical director Norman Scott, who was has worked with the Chrysanths for 50 years, provided some lively music throughout.

It's great to hear Ed Sheeran's Perfect and Shut up and dance with me played on the organ and aided by Mark Owen on drums.

The 13-strong strong cast pulled out all the stops, too.

Phil Gilroy was consistently hissable as Abanazar and Terry Davies was an endearing Widow Twankey.

The two policemen, Hi-Lo (Jed Flowerday) and Li-Lo (Graham Leigh) offered plenty of slapstick including the famous Honey Bee routine.

Leanne Burgess made a version strong Empress, Shane Bear a delightful genie and Charlie Delaney a feisty Aladdin.

Chorography from Rebecca Gardner and assistant Hannah Laidlaw provided many enchanting dance scenes for the five flowery themes groups: The Petals, Posies, Blossoms, Blooms and Buds And costumes were all first-class from Peking to a surreal flight of fancy to The Flinstones era.

The whole cast came on stage for their trademark song Here's to you - here's to me. 

Well done Chrysanths!

Here's to the next one. 

Bloomin' Marvellous

Five Stars