Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates

Gaiety Theatre

This year's pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre departs from the usual favourite fairytale themes, instead opting for a potentially grittier storyline in Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates.

However, young children need have no fear, because although Pirate Blacksparrow – fluidly performed by Daryn Crosbie, who also directs and jointly choreographs the show – taunts and mocks the young audience, he is not truly menacing at any point.

The story begins as the Crusoe family, Mrs Crusoe – Joe Conlon, a more restrained yet brilliant Dame in his first appearance in a Gaiety pantomime – and her three sons, Robinson (Brian Gilligan), Achew (Richie Hayes) and Birdseye (Michael Grennell) buy a boat and set sail for Mango Island in search of treasure.

It takes a while for the momentum to build but Crosbie’s assured direction allows the particular talents of seasoned pantomime stars to flourish without dominating the show. So, this year, Hayes and Grennell have several slots as the comic duo, which provokes lots of giggles from young children. The best of these was undoubtedly when Hayes and Grennell, joined by Conlon, fall around the cabin during a storm at sea.

The threat of pirates means that the crew needs some help from a magical mermaid (Lynda Gough) – more sassy sister than twinkle toes – who turns out to be mates with Girl Friday (Samantha Mumba), the leader of Mango Island. Mumba’s arrival on stage adds a welcome touch of glamour and true singing talent.

The highlights of the show are the rendition of popular songs – Lady Gaga's Born This Way,Beyonce's Run the Worldand One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful?And while the Billie Barry Kids performed well – particularly the boy dancers – there are fewer all-singing, all-dancing scenes than in previous years.

Scriptwriter Paul Elliott chooses to avoid political jokes altogether and the only really topical and hilarious inclusion is when the Billie Barry kids are dancing outside a stylish town house and President Michael D Higgins (an impersonator, of course) comes out the door, throws money at them and joins in a bit of dancing in the streets.

Lynda Gough's version of the Bob Marley hit Don't Worry About a Thing, as the Crusoe family swim to Mango Island after the pirates take over their ship, is the closest analogy one can draw to our current economic woes.

Overall, it’s good family entertainment – more geared for boys this year than say shows like Cinderella, but a bit more glitz and glamour would have been nice to brighten up a particularly dreary December.

runs until January 29th