LAST night saw the official launch of the all-round madness that is this year’s all-singing, all-dancing, Wyvern pantomime, Dick Whittington.

We giggled, we jeered, we booed at all the right moments and some nearly shed a tear (but don’t tell anyone).

In a nutshell, we were utterly captivated, oohing and aahing like excited little children toddling into the living room on Christmas morning. And not only when Tommy the Cat and his six-pack made their entrance (but that might have had something to do with it).

I can only begin to imagine what the hordes of giggling under-10s must have felt as the hysterical story of Dick, his faithful pet and their foil King Rat, aka Nigel Havers, unfolded.

As someone experiencing her first pantomime (yes, really), it proved a memorable experience and a display of the best and the zaniest British culture has to offer.

Dick Whittington recounts the rags to riches tale of the eponymous young man and his cat on his quest for fame, fortune and the title of Lord Mayor of London. A journey which, bafflingly enough, takes them to the shores of Morocco.

But the well-meaning Dick’s dreams are put in jeopardy by our scheming villain King Rat – brilliantly brought to life by former Coronation Street star Havers, diabolical cackle and all – who stops at nothing to scupper his plans.

Throw in a ‘stellar’ fight sequence, pop hits, a soupcon of romance in the form of the lovely Alice Fitzwarren, Swindon’s panto dame of choice David Ashley as Sarah the Cook and gags aplenty and you may just start to get a picture of the beast of a show that is this year’s pantomime.

The panto’s launch was a time for goodbyes at the Wyvern as colleagues bid farewell to marketing manager Richard Loftus. Richard, who will head the marketing and sales team at the Watford Colosseum from December 15, will be replaced at the helm by current press officer Laura James in January.

“I will be sad to leave the Wyvern Theatre and have really enjoyed working on various projects, productions and events, but I am looking forward to new challenges and opportunities,” said Richard.

Dick Whittington runs until Sunday, January 4. To book visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call the ticket office on 01793 524481.