The Bubble theatre is adept at creating quality popular entertainment and is more aware than most that theatre is largely about context and the creation of a community. Creating a community in the antiseptic Cochrane is a tall order, but not one that is beyond the genie-us of Jonathan Petherbridge and his cast. This is considerably more real than all those teeth-and-legs pantos with huge choruses where everyone smiles inanely, it never rains, and the emotions are as false as the highly coloured set.

This show has villains you really want to hiss and boo, as well as heroes and heroines ordinary enough to be like you and me. Aladdin and the princess meet and become mates with all the faltering awkwardness of a playground romance, and the princess turns out to be a champion swimmer, which is just as well given the fate the evil Abananzer has in mind for her and Aladdin.

The mixture of the traditional and the innovative is neatly balanced too. There is some audience participation that isn't toe-curlingly embarrassing, some really good slapstick routines whose antecedents date back to the music hall, and some hilarious playing with film that is seamlessly spliced into the live action.

Those looking for a grand, all-singing, all-dancing panto might find this a little low-key. But adults and older children will appreciate the exceptionally good script and the little ones will be delighted by the broader humour. Even if you think you hate panto, this could change your mind.

Till January 15. Box office: 0171-242 7040.