Thom Dibdin - Edinburgh Evening News **** (Four stars) 

BURSTING with great moments and constantly fizzing with energy, the Brunton Theatre has taken the tale of Dick Whittington and given it a thorough East Lothian makeover.
Here's young Dick McWhittington, as strapping a lad in his kilt as any lady in the audience could want to feast her eyes upon, leaving his Ma, Dame Campie, in her Cockenzie cake room as he seeks fame and fortune in Musselburgh with the aid of his wee cat, Dom.

There's the gorgeous Alice Fitzwarren, about to be crowned Honest Lass when the dastardly shadow of King Rat falls over the stage. Demure though she is, she does her best to stop him kidnapping all of Musselburgh in his evil plan to become the most important person in East Lothian. While red-blooded blokes in the audience will be falling over themselves to help save Alice, that's Dick's job. With a little help from Dame Campie, his dim brother Pinkie and the good sprite Esk. Not forgetting a whole heap of jokes, dreadful puns, well-worn comedy routines and a great big dollop of audience participation.

After a few years during which the Brunton has wandered through the pantomime wilderness, failing to find a show that makes the grade, this is a real treat. The budget might not stretch to TV stars or flying carpets; instead, it relies on strong writing, clever ideas and a cast who clearly enjoy every minute of their time on stage. Graham Crammond is coming into his own as the Dame. A succession of hilarious costumes helps, of course. But it is the confidence of his performance which impresses. And his ability to milk his audience just far enough, without using up their goodwill.

Local favourite Arron Usher returns in great form as Pinkie. Crammond's generous performance has given him someone to play off and they could well be on the way to creating a very strong double act. Robert Jack and Katrina Bryan fit in perfectly as the romantic leads. They put in a pair of solid performances which allow the rest of the cast to pull and twist at the pantomime moments until they are properly formed.

Indeed, it is Bryan's deadpan delivery as Alice which creates several of the most hilarious moments for the grown-ups in the audience - while Dame Campie is busy keeping the kids amused with lavatorial humour and outrageous antics.

In truth, the youngest members of the audience are in awe of Dom the cat, who is a really sinuous feline. So much so, that it is easy to forget that there is a real human, Claire Shepherd, underneath that cat costume.

All told an excellent local pantomime which, when at its best lampooning the M&S advert or producing an exceptional Behind You routine, can have you weeping with laughter. Best get your tickets quick.