Where else could you see a former Strictly champion, a CBeebies presenter and a dressed-up dame fight off a flock of haunted mummies? Only at panto, of course.

The Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury puts on one of the country’s most celebrated panto productions, having won the UK’s Best Pantomime in the past, so expectations were high for this year’s Aladdin.

The theatre was buzzing with anticipation ahead of what is, for some families, the biggest night of the festive season. Even as someone who was there without kids in tow, I found myself getting a little swept up in the excitement of it all.

This year’s stellar cast includes dancer and musical theatre performer Kevin Clifton alongside returning favourites Phil Gallagher, best known for playing children’s character Mister Maker, and panto dame Ben Roddy.

West End performers Courtney Bowman, Lauren Chia and Alistair So are also making their debut in the Canterbury production.

But, as everyone knows, the audience also plays a crucial role in panto and if you don’t get the kids onside right away, you might as well pack up and go home.

The Canterbury audience, however, played their part perfectly; the kids (and parents) didn’t hold back, roaring, cheering, booing and shouting out with a gusto rarely heard in theatres on a Tuesday night.

Even if you go into a show like this with some scepticism - I’m looking at you, dads - it’s impossible to resist the silliness and spontaneity of the whole affair.

Whether it’s the never-ending string of ridiculous puns, Dame Dolly’s outrageous outfits or the wheels quite literally falling off in a moment of chaos, there’s guaranteed to be something that will tickle your funny bone.

There were all the classic ingredients that we’ve come to expect from a Marlowe panto, from the big dance numbers to water gun fights and, of course, the infamous Ghostbusters bench that always brings back fond memories of my childhood.

However, something that the Marlowe always does so brilliantly is adding that extra sprinkle of magic to really wow audiences with something completely unexpected.

This year, it’s Aladdin’s flying carpet. I don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s a special and genuinely impressive moment.

Looking around, I could see kids absolutely bewildered and beside themselves when the carpet began floating over their heads, and it was so much fun to watch children leaping out of their seats and squealing with delight and disbelief.

The whole show was dotted with spectacular moments, including the genie bursting out of the lamp, the gravity-defying moves from the acrobats and Kevin Clifton whipping off his villainous costume and busting out a Stricty-worthy routine.

It was also great to see someone we recognise from TV act the fool and totally give into the absurdity of it all.

That’s what panto is all about. Whether you’re 5 or 85 years old, it’s one time of year when you can give yourself over to complete and utter silliness for two and a half hours.

When I was a child we would go to the panto every year and it was a real highlight of the Christmas period, something I looked forward to all year long.

Thanks to the Marlowe upping its game year after year, it’s fast becoming a highlight of my Christmas as an adult, too.

The panto is on until Sunday, January 7. Tickets start from £16 and can be booked online here. You can also book by calling 01227 787787.

Tickets are also now on sale for next year’s production of Beauty and the Beast.