Showing @ The Brunton, Musselburgh until Sat 04 Jan 2014 @ times vary

As Edinburgh’s over-priced Christmas Market transforms Princes Street into a lurid nightmare of wooden cabins, Musselburgh’s festive tradition is a charming beacon of gaiety. Although the traditional narrative of a dozing princess awoken by a slobbery lip-smacker is incorporated into this flamboyant and riotous production, it’s overshadowed by a host of new faces, localised jokes and pop choreography.

The characters are really caricatures and the story’s simplicity means there’s enough room for them to humouredly relax into pantomime stereotype. There’s no real dull sparks in the cast (Prince Charming’s somewhat wooden acting is saved by his Bublé-style crooning) but Robert Read’s potently fabulous diva-esque Queen Ruby shines brightest, as a delightful combination of cheesy stand-up comic and domineering drag-queen. Even the chorus of cavorting children are adept in their roles as backing dancers and extras, providing youthful appeal to the juvenile audience.

Philip Meeks’ script is heaped with a comical equilibrium of simplistic slapstick for the wee and jovial geographical jibes for the not-so-wee, keeping all generations guffawing. While there are moments of mirth after the interval, the rushing through of the plot supplants the making gags-for-gags-sake and it doesn’t quite live up to the first half’s hilarity. However, the set’s fairytale-type illustrations and some shimmeringly garish costumes cement Tim Licata’s production’s status as light-hearted and family friendly entertainment.