There is fun galore at Salisbury Playhouse, where Dick Whittington and his Cat drew shrieks of excitement from young members of the audience at the opening last week.

My three young companions were thrilled by it all. We especially enjoyed the wonderfully feline performance of Ella Vale, as Tabby. Her ‘cat language’ is enchanting, and when Fairy Bowbells’ magic grants her the power of speech, she has some impressive vocal numbers.

Kieran Buckeridge, brilliant as the flamboyant dame Mrs Whittington, also composed the original music for the show and co-wrote the lyrics (with Andrew Pollard). His truly amazing costumes were designed by Keith Orton and made by Judith Ward.

Tom Oakley is splendid as Dick, who sets out from Salisbury to seek his fortune in London, and aims to raise sufficient money to complete work on the cathedral spire. Fantastic sets and costumes accentuate the theme, and after a host of adventures, there is the traditional happy ending.

Richard Hurst is the dastardly King Rat, whose every appearance drew a deafening barrage of boos and hisses from the delighted audience. Despite his evil schemes, he is terrified of Tabby and his inability to enunciate the word CAT causes much mirth.

Gemma Wardle has two glittering roles, as Fairy Bowbells and Flo Mingo, an exotic island ruler who King Rat seeks to depose. There is a gorilla, too, prompting frenzied yells of “Look behind you!”

Alderman Fitzwarren, ably portrayed by Tim Treslove, runs a well-stocked Cheese Emporium, a great venue for slapstick comedy, with a cellar where rats would love to live. His lovely daughter Alice (Laura Matthews), simply loves to shop. Can she find a soulmate in Dick Whittington, who yearns to win her heart?

The show is directed by Joyce Branagh, with Rebecca Hughes as musical director and Maggie Rawlinson as choreographer. There is slick participation by a dozen young performers, in teams of six (cheekily named Red Leicester and Blue Stilton).

Special effects, corny jokes, stunts and a sing-along encourage everyone to laugh and let off steam.