People power has made Malton’s pantos the best amateur local shows for decades and that’s true again this year with a company of 100 and a giant chorus bolstering the success of Aladdin.

This is director Gemma Williams’s second panto for Malton & Norton Musical Theatre. Now with baby son Ethan on one arm and a script on the other, she worked hard in rehearsal with her talented off-stage team to create a chorus which meant and did something – and it has paid off.

One of the biggest ever in a Malton panto at nearly 40 strong, the vibrant chorus of local adults and youngsters welds newcomers and seasoned performers. They support where needed, oohing and aahing with gusto and lending depth and weight throughout.

No singling out is necessary here. They all shine, from the vibrant China Town opener to a masked harmony-singing number and a female line-up of individual chorus members.

None of this would have worked without the talents of Malton’s competent principals, headed again by an hilarious Widow Twankey (Rory Queen) and a loveably daft Wishee Washee (Mark Poole).

Other contenders for the comedy crown this year, however, have to be rib-tickling comic coppers Wong and Pong (Mark Boler and Neil Paylor). Their Laughing Policeman is a touch of genius.

All the cast and dancers acquit themselves brilliantly. Showing new singing potential are Mark McDonald as Abanazar, Clare Weatherill as the Empress and chorus members Paula Cook, Andrea Hyman, Ann Jacques, Rosie Weatherill and Alex Tate-Smith.

Elsewhere, some slick choreography by Chloe Shipley makes a stunning light dancing sequence come alive. Norton Sixth Form College create a breathless magic carpet-ride video and Jo Clare’s superb scenery once again sets the stage ablaze with colour. Off-stage ‘genies’ include whiz-kid backstage and light and sound teams headed by Martin Parrott and Richard Nortcliffe.

This talented all-round, all-age support means the future of Malton panto is assured.

Aladdin, Malton & Norton Musical Theatre Company, Milton Rooms, Malton, until Saturday. Box office: 01653 600048.

Performances start at 7.15pm nightly plus 2.15pm on Saturday.