‘ME babbies, me bairns.” Who else could it be but Dame Berwick Kaler making his entrance in his 30th Theatre Royal pantomime?

Nobody does it better. Dick Turpin is a slick, spectacular extravaganza packed with laughs, action, songs and the inevitable spotted Dick joke.

This Dick is perhaps more of a musical comedy entertainment than a pantomime.

While Kaler’s Betty Turpin oversees the action, he doesn’t monopolise the stage. Everyone gets a turn to shine, including regulars David Leonard (in his 21st panto) as the villainous vampire Count Vermin De Vile and Suzy Cooper (in her 14th after missing last year to have a baby) in a variety of disguises.

Martin Barrass is hopelessly silly as Vivian, AJ Powell is great fun as PC Clod Hopper and Julie Anna Castro uses her voice to powerful effect in Invincible.

This is one of the big production numbers that make a Kaler panto stand out. There’s nothing cut price here. It’s good to see a show that can afford six professional dancers, and the production makes full use of them.

If I wanted to come over all Craig Revel Horwood, I could say that the production, directed by Damien Cruden, could be a little sharper in a few places.

But these are minor niggles.

This Dick Turpin stands and delivers yet another Christmas cracker of a show.

■ Until January 31. Tickets 01904-623568 or online yorktheatreroyal.co.uk