By GILBERT WONG
It's odd that the only glimmer of a pantomime tradition in this country can be found in children's theatre.
There is something faintly thrilling when the "fourth wall" is breached and the actors wink and give a nudge, nudge to the audience.
In the holiday production of Puff the Magic
Dragon the audience participation is enthusiastic and warranted as the wacky characters ham their way through a version of the tale concocted by Garry Ginivan and directed by Janine Donnell.
Those expecting a retelling of the song made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary will be disappointed.
This production is aimed squarely at the under-10s and that audience is just not interested in a fable about the loss of innocence. Most can't even say it.
Jackie Paper, played in a piping voice by Nelson Hanney, falls asleep and what follows might be a dream.
He befriends Puff (Sean O'Shea), who loses his tail to the dastardly Majeek the Magician, played amusingly by Mark Grimes.
With the help of new friends Sir Galant, Mother Dame Lollipop and later Uncle Whacko, order is restored to the land of Honalee.
That's about as complicated as it gets, though the journey is made more fun with rousing songs that the actors perform with relish.
Russell Dixon in the double role of Sir Galant and Uncle Whacko is suitably dotty, while Donna Espie as Lollipop is vivacious as she struts about in violent red shoes and dress, dispensing instructions and generally raising the audience into a mild froth at her inability to spot the villain right behind her.
The staging is bright and professional, with good use of strobes and other light effects.
There are billows of dry ice, and moments when a toddler might feel anxious, but the performers judge their audience to a tee.
Though as any parent will tell you, plays for littlies could do without an intermission, keen as the ice cream and soft drink vendors might be.
