The Bernie Grant Arts Centre, in Tottenham, is bringing the sunshine into our lives this panto season, as The Musical Theatre Academy, based in Islington, returns for a third year to present an original adaptation of Robinson Crusoe.

Loosely based on the 1719 novel by Daniel Defoe, the show follows the journey of the charming title character Robinson Crusoe (Daniel Umpleby), who embarks on a sea voyage but ends up shipwrecked on a desert island with his Dame mother (Ben Wilton).

While marooned, he sets out on a mission to stop meddling pirates named Freda Flotsam (Ashley Runeckles) and Jenny Jetsam (Olivia Shepherd), from discovering where the buried treasure is hidden, while falling in love with Chloe Claw (Jenna Innes), the free-spirited daughter of the evil Captain Claw, who was played by Adam Ireson.

The whole production seemed different to typical pantomimes. The set was comprised of a large treehouse that the actors danced and sang around and the costumes were impressive as they were bright and combined different pirate, shipwrecked and jungle themes.

There were still some traditional panto elements throughout the show, including the Dame called Ethel Crusoe and various chants of the old staple: “He’s behind you!”

Ben Wilton was a standout as Ethel throughout, as he rattled off faultless monologues and had a great deal of enthusiasm with his constant joke-telling.

The audience was mostly made up of primary school children and although a lot of jokes may have gone over their heads, there was still a great deal of humour relating to jungles and treasure islands. One of the memorable jokes involved Ethel recalling a time where she woke up with a head ache, but couldn’t find any medicine as the paracetamol (meaning the parrots ate them all).

The children tended to laugh the loudest at the slapstick humour, when the actors fell over or passed wind.

Adam Ireson was convincing as the bad guy, particularly when he entered the auditorium at the back. It set off a ripple of screams from the children and even sent a slight chill through many of the adults.

Narrator Mama (Katarina Hardy) was a wise old hippy who lived in the treehouse and sat crossed wearing tie-dye, while being surrounded by Chinese lanterns.

Katarina was impressive at keeping the young audience interested and getting them to participate and clap along at certain points of the plot, such as the scene where the characters were racing to find the buried treasure.

If you are in search of a pantomime this year that thinks outside the box but still combines all the traditional essentials that you know and love, Robinson Crusoe is the perfect Christmas treat.

Star-rating: ****

Robinson Crusoe, Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, N15 4RX, Monday, December 12 to Saturday, December 17, 10am, 1pm or 5pm, details: 020 8365 5450, berniegrantcentre.co.uk