THIS Goose is well cooked by now, just as it should be on a Christmas Day table.

More than two weeks remain of serving up the Goose, keeping it fresh until the end of the month, and Damian Cruden and Dame Berwick Kaler's cast continue to chase the laughter with gusto.

Restored villain David Leonard's dandy, disdainful Dreaded Lurgi has really hit the straps since press night way back on December 12.

His "wahey" after each punchline putdown recalls the great Eric Morecambe and his jousting jesting with Dame Berwick's Aggie Goosegog is becoming more competitive by the show, leaving each other breathless at one point.

A J Powell's glam-camp turn, this time as Puck, the King of the Fairies, has become crucial to the Theatre Royal panto mix with his willingness to take on any challenge, any costume; principal girl Suzy Cooper's parody of Kaler's dame, when dressed in disguise, is comedy gold and Martin Barrass's gift for physical lunacy and spot-on comic characterisation is unabated.

Kaler's political and cultural radar on York and beyond marks out his shows from safer pantomimes elsewhere; his tongue turns saucier by the year and his film scene with Harry Gration will leave you never seeing the Look North presenter in the same light again.

Miraculously, Dame Berwick doesn't lead the plot on a wild goose chase; the story is inventive but still familiar and this pantomime certainly lays the golden egg.

Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk