Panto's on Strike at the Manchester Opera House. Runs until November 27

IT must be one of the most surreal moments in the history of the Opera House.

Robbie Williams on stage singing the chorus of Angels with his best pal Jonathan Wilkes and Bolton's own Paddy McGuinness in the finale of a strictly adults only panto that featured scantily clad girls, a lap dancing dwarf, Ricky Hatton and more double entendres than all the Carry On films put together.

The Take That singer was in the audience, along with other celebs from the world of showbiz and sport, to watch what turned out to be a riotous evening of good filthy fun, which the cast looked as though they were enjoying as much as the audience.

This is the key to the show's success - everyone is having a laugh and we're in on it too.

Our heroes - playing themselves - are called upon to free the beautiful Princess Crystal from the clutches of the dastardly King Foo (Brian Capron, best known as Coronation Street villain Richard Hillman), causing the characters from Panto Land to go on strike and jeopardise festive theatrical fun for children across the country.

Along the way they encounter the kind of scenarios that would have made Sid James go bright red; this is very naughty stuff indeed. One part set in a wood is a direct pastiche of a scene used in many pantos where ghosts creep up behind the main characters. Here, in an inspired twist, the ghosts have been replaced with ladies of the night - and that's about as much as can be said on this website.

The show is colourful, fast paced, genuinely funny and last night's crowd - including Wanderers manager Owen Coyle and United star Ryan Giggs among others - absolutely loved it.

Paddy and Jonathan relentlessly bore the brunt of jokes as characters only recognised who they were when they pointed out they were best friend of (Paddy) Peter Kay and (Jonathan) Robbie Williams.

On the evidence of last night's show - which the boys co-wrote with panto stalwart and brilliant dame Eric Potts (who also directs this production), they deserve to be famous in their own right.

There may be those who sniff at this kind of adolescent, bawdy, show. Let them sniff. This is the perfect night out if you want a good laugh - provided you're over 18 and pretty broadminded.

Which takes us neatly back to a certain Mr Williams - who I am sure found the whole evening as wickedly enjoyable as the rest of us.