PANTOMIME is falsely regarded as a safe formulaic recipe. Not so. What if the basic ingredients – script, casting, pace and personality – are lacking or presented with the wrong emphasis?

Hiring actors is only the beginning. And although it looks good to have signed Coach Trip host Brendan Sheerin for a second Southport Christmas run – too many of today’s panto stars have little currency – the main task is to offer principals the best possible showcase.

Even as a highly visible, upwardly mobile henchman to the wicked queen planning the demise of hapless Snow White, our cuddly camp TV favourite, who attracts two million viewers per episode, cannot suddenly be expected to become the on-side children’s favourite when his character is bound up with such dark forces.

And it’s no use waiting for the dashing prince to save the day: Boyzone singer Shane Lynch – the joint bill-topper – is like a fish out of water throughout. That said, both he and Brendan were not aided by low-key first entrances which made them out to be little more than extras.

The only recompense comes from Paula Bell’s villainous matriarch, and title-role holder Rachael Wood, who can be relied upon to sing this often unsteady production out of trouble.

Stage newcomer Baz Todd – of Juice FM – does his best to grapple with an over-muddled presentation of cheerful simpleton, Muddles, while Mark Stuart-Wood’s Dame Dumpling is a shot short of igniting the essential, time-honoured absurdity of a man in an ill-fitting frock. I still think Brendan Sheerin could be a prize dame in waiting. And that way – barring an ugly sister in Cinderella – he could be a veritable cheerleader. Maybe next year?

Joe Riley