IF Rory Booth is considering auditioning for CATS at some point in the future he should simply send some image of himself as the title character in KickStArt Theatre Company’s delightful pantomime, Puss in Boots.

Booth relishes every moment on stage and happily channels his inner Antonio Banderas in Steven Stead’s reimagining of the classic rags to riches fairytale.

Also having a right royal time of it is Peter Court as the villain of the piece. Playing an evil ogre he manages to appear (almost himself) as King Magnum (Nhlakanipho Manqele)’s advisor, Grimsby Withergood, but then had the audience beside themselves as he moved around the stage in an ‘electric wheelchair’ with the legend ‘How’s my driving’.

In another scene Greg King has created a gigantic ogre and a gigantic lion too. And his sets provide the perfect backdrop for the energetic cast.

I’m thrilled that Steven and Greg were able to lure the lovely Londiwe Dhlomo-Dlamini down from Joburg to play Princess Miranda. She has one fabulous set of pipes and it was FAB-U-LOUS to be able to hear them being belted out on a Durban stage again.

Panto legend, Darren King, wearing sky-high heels and a series of outfits ranging from a doughnut-themed ensemble with ‘Princess Leia’-style ear pieces and a giant Christmas pud plays Mother Marzipan. And just like those Christmas treats his performance was delicious. What a dame!

Bryan Hiles plays her son Tom and Puss’s owner, who rather unexpectedly – and not a little bit reluctantly – finds himself playing the hero when his once lazy moggy takes control of his life. Together with Lyle Buxton – who sends up every man of little brain and lots of brawn as Tom’s brother Tristram – they make a great double act.

Rounding out the cast is the lovely Belinda Henwood as good fairy Calypso Honeybunch, who helps ensure a happy ending, and Maritzburg-born Caitlin Kilburn as the slinky kitty assassin Selina Swiftclaw. Both ladies are spot on.

Greg and his panto elves – Tim Zikhali, Bongani Pakhati, Byron du Plessis, Clare Mortimer, Tina le Roux, Bongamusa Masondo, Sarah Matter, Leigh Meyer, Wendy Henstcok, Shanti Naidoo – have created a magical land where everything  can and usually does happen.

Together with Steven’s delightful script and direction of a cast which must at times have been – if you will excuse the pun – like herding cats, Puss in Boots is simply top drawer.

If you haven’t booked to see Puss in Boots at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal do so now. The run ends this week. Performances are at 2.30 pm Tuesday to Sunday, with 7 pm shows Fridays and some Saturdays. Tickets range in price from R120 to R220.