A trip to the pantomime is very often many children’s first experience of live theatre, and for this reason you have to make sure it’s a good one. Luckily, this year’s production at the Bristol Hippodrome is one of the best. It’s got extravagant costumes, a fabulous set, bang-up-to-date pop songs and even a dancing dog.

For those unfamiliar with the tale, Dick Whittington is the traditional tale of a young man who travels to London with his cat Tommy, where he hopes to make his fortune. In London, Dick finds work at Mr Fitzwarren’s stores, where he meets and falls in love with Alice Fitzwarren. Dick is wrongly accused of theft from the shop’s safe, but the sound of Bow Bells persuades him to ‘Turn again Whittington, thrice Mayor of London’, and he ultimately ends up on the merchant’s voyage to China. The ship, however, is marooned off the coast of North Africa and it is during a feast at the Sultan’s palace that Tommy’s talent for killing rats is discovered. Tommy is paid a fortune for his feline friend, meaning that he can fulfil his dream of marrying Alice Fitzwarren and ultimately becomes mayor.

Top of the bill are Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey, but be warned: don’t turn up expecting the dancing doggy to be on stage for the entire show. When he is on stage, however, the canine is unbelievably cute and it’s easy to see why the couple recently won Britain’s Got Talent. It’s one of those rare life spectacles that has to be seen with your own eyes to be believed.

Children, especially toddlers, also love to see their CBeebies favourite Mr Bloom (Ben Faulks) live on stage, and another of Mr Cowell’s prodigies, the beautiful Brenda Edwards can certainly hold a tune as Fairy Bowbelle, although sadly she didn’t ooze the on-stage presence of Barbara Windsor in 2010.

But it’s the comedy that keeps people coming back to the Bristol pantomime year after year, and for the sixth year running it’s the wonderful Andy Ford (Idle Jack) and director Eric Potts (Sarah the Cook), who keep the laughs coming, one after another. The giant sausage scene in particular is guaranteed to raise more than a few laughs, from adults and children alike.

I must give a special to mention to Lara Denning as Queen Rat who, with her awesome ‘mwahaha’ cackle, really stands out in her role, despite not making it to the bill.

Colourful chaos, popular songs and spectacular costumes are par for the course at a pantomime, but they always go the extra mile at the Bristol Hippodrome. There’s even a 3D film show to really keep the audience engaged. And if that lot’s not entertainment, I don’t know what is.

Dick Whittington is on until January 4. For tickets visit www.atgtickkets.com