IT was a wet and windy night both outside and inside for Lyme Regis Pantomime Society's production of Robinson Crusoe, produced and directed by Ken Loader.

A depleted opening-night crowd made up for it in the panto spirit to yell and hiss their way through the tale of a young man's bid to find his long-gone father's buried treasure and get the girl.

Along the way his motley crew must battle storms at sea, pirates, and his sweetheart's disapproving parents as well as winning over the natives on the island where they are shipwrecked.

Nicky Harwood has to be one of the best principal boys around and produced another noteworthy performance in the title role.

Highlights included a sweet duet sung with strong lead Dawn Street as girlfriend Kathie.

Lyme's ever-popular dame, Bill Street, this time as Mrs Crusoe, has built up a contingent of loyal fans over the years, all eager to hear his comedy ad libs - and, as usual, they weren't disappointed.

How John Wallis as the native island chief Yum Tum kept a straight face in their scenes together was a mystery and the performances had the audiences in stitches.

Scenes involving the islanders were a wonderful array of colour and humour with a rip-roaringly hilarious performance from Tanya Rattenbury as Pom Pom, the big chief's daughter, and her desperate search for a man.

Young Luke Street, a Babe in last year's pantomime, showed he has picked up the family performance gene with some great facial expressions and stage presence and another young cast member, Gemma Jones, was a breath of fresh air as Man Friday. Hers was an enthusiastic and confident performance with what could so easily have been an extremely annoying character.

There was strong back-up from Les Loveridge as pirate Long John Copper, Amanda Rattenbury as Fair Breeze and Shirley Colley as villain of the piece, Queen Neptune.

The suitably snooty Ray Fletcher as Sir Roger De Botherus and Val Hawkins as Lady Mildred added well to mirth, while Mike Jones as King Neptune and Tina Paveley as the mermaid both had strong songs.

Youngsters from Lyme School of Ballet created the stormy waters and the Karizma Girls became pirates and - along with the always strong chorus - helped link the show together with some good dancing and choreography.

It can be hard to know what to expect with a pantomime of Robinson Crusoe, and this script had many good bits, but suffered from some clunky dialogue and scenes and a storyline that was full of holes.

Overall, this was another classy and enjoyable offering from Lyme Pantomime Society and I hope they get the audiences they deserve as the productions continues tonight and tomorrow at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Other cast members were: Chorus: Kate Evans, Megan Flux, Bryony Knight, Marjorie Loveridge, Una Quick, Abigail Rice, Brenda Simpson, Robyn Taylor and Kate Wootten.

Lyme School of Ballet: Lily Fendall, Paris Halkes-Wellstead, Lillie Reynolds, Suzie Riley, and Jessica Williams.

Karizma Girls: Ellen Annings-Backett, Nichole Barker, Annabel Blackwell, Isabelle Bosence, Jordan Chantry, Jodie Dickson, Sophie MacDonald, Ellie Price, Leahness Prowse, Amy Richards, Megan Sitten, Isabelle Trueman, Amy Vernon, Georgia Wellman, Courtney Wilbor and Lydia Wood.

Back stage roles: Shirley Colley, Pat MacKay, Nicci Goddan, Kathy Rattenbury, Alex Davies, Penny Bartholomew, John Hallett, Ted Colley, Phil Rattenbury, Lymelight, Terry Stacey, Delphine Street, Mike and Win Donno, Scott Robson, Anne and Danni Bosence, Zoe Jones and Jill Pack and helpers.