MY little boy has recently taken to expressing his level of appreciation through the medium of jumping.

As I write this he is kangaroo-bouncing all over the sitting room shouting ‘good, good, good.’ We have just come back from the Robin Hood panto at Lighthouse, Poole. I think this means he liked it.

Admittedly, he’s no pantomime connoisseur. He’s three and this was his first ever trip – but I think even an aficionado would find few panto boxes went un-ticked in this fun family fare. It was all there – the silly set pieces, corny gags, slap stick falls, and it’s-behind-yous aplenty.

CBBC star Ed Petrie was a warmly charismatic Robin Hood, showing his easy comic charm ad-libbing with children from the audience brought up on stage. And rarely has a panto villain been so worthy of his ‘boos’ and ‘hisses’ than the Sheriff of Nottingham, played with total commitment by Game of Thrones’ Patrick O’Kane, (though his ‘I Hate You’ song was perhaps off the mark for the younger members of the audience – had to a administer a cuddle during this one.) Having the most fun on stage, and for me a highlight as a result, was Dan Looney as one of the sheriff’s men, who certainly had me chortling – and his cast mates at points too.

This was truly an all-singing all-dancing romp with everything from magic and acrobatics to Riverdance and ballet thrown in. Round it off with a silly sing-a-long song and you’ve got a winning feel-good festive formula. Lovely. They should do it every year.

Robin Hood is at Lighthouse, Poole, until Sunday January 4. For Tickets & information call 0844 406 8666 or visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk