Going to the panto in 2018, in the midst of a gender-centric, #metoo-conscious, politically correct audience has its advantages. With three sons, one takes every opportunity to find teachable moments in our time together. So even though the genie steals the show, the real magic is the powerful princess panto protagonist Jasmine. She’s strong, straight talking, swashbuckling. “This girl doesn’t need looking after,” she tells Aladdin.

It's an hour before curtain in the Cork Opera House and everyone’s stirring in preparation for their first sell-out show of the season.