Once again, Drayton Entertainment has produced a magical, exciting pantomime for children — and their parents — to enjoy, just in time for the holiday season.

Robin Hood has everything young families can enjoy — an evil villain to boo, a young romance to watch as it blossoms, and a rowdy bunch of outlaws to cheer on.

It also has great music, stunning choreography, and some well-placed humour in the form of Paul Brown as Nurse Tickle. After all, it wouldn’t be a pantomime without a man in drag.

Jackie Mustakas, as the charming Maid Marion, brought the right combination to the role — a young woman who is clearly up for anything, including the chance to fall in love with an outlaw.

Jay Davis, as Robin Hood, was also charming — as all rogues can be — and managed to convey the right mix of moral rightness with an unerring sense of adventure.

And Paul McQuillan was definitely spot-on as the Sheriff of Nottingham, an evil man who plots to kill Maid Marion and her nurse for Marion’s inheritance — if only he could find her will.

The strength of the show, however, comes in the large musical numbers that offered dazzling choreography.

My young son was mesmerized by the dancing scenes, unable to tear his eyes away from the spectacle as the cast members glided across the stage.

Unfortunately, he had more trouble with the Sheriff of Nottingham, and the fact that audience members were booing every time he entered the theatre.

And that would be my one caveat about Robin Hood. While the play is a magical experience for young families, make sure your children aren’t too young. Samuel, at 4, had a difficult time with the villains of the show, who were just a little too realistic. A scene that included a phantom was also a little difficult to explain, as well as the strobe light effect during a chase scene.

I would think that the minimum age for this play would realistically be six or seven years old, depending on the nature of your child, since some children are more sensitive than others.

For those who were old enough to enjoy, however, the show was a great, fantastical evening, one where the villain gets his comeuppance, the boy gets the girl, and all live happily ever after.

Not bad for a night out in St. Jacobs.

Robin Hood plays seven shows a week, Thursday through Sunday, with special student matinees on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 519-747-7788, or toll-free at 1-888-449-4463.