Amateur dramatics dying in this digital age? Not a bit of it, judging by Masque Players’ latest offering.

This longstanding group, based in West Wycombe but attracting thespians from around the district, put together its annual panto last week.

Once again they proved that passion and enthusiasm, plus amateurs’ sheer joy in performing, easily outweigh the limits of a cute little village hall stage and using busy people who act in their spare time.

They have a romp of a time and soon draw the audience into the charm of the story.

Treasure Island is a well known tale, of course, but this time has some panto magic ingredients inserted as the baddies plot their most dastardly deeds, the pompous Squire struts his stuff to the amusement of all, his flunkies roll their eyes as they do his bidding, and the plot thickens as everyone joins in the search for the map and the buried treasure.

Top accolade goes to Justin Clinch who plays the Dame, Mrs Ladd, with suitably outrageous costumes.

He was surely born for the role, acting up every single opportunity to raise a laugh, from his wonderfully expressive facial and body language to his adlib response to a curtain falling down.

The principal boy is Katy Emms playing her son Jim Ladd. The programme notes tell us these two are boy/girlfriends in real life.

It’s said that many actors stay in character off-stage during shows - one can imagine that might get interesting with their roles’ gender and generational confusion.

The rambunctious pirates clearly love their chance to snarl and menace and draw out the audience’s Boos, and their swashbuckling outfits and makeup are suitably horrid.

Chief baddie Long John Slither, played by Stephen Rockell, is marvellous, and really quite scary.

Indeed everyone on stage is excellent, from cabin boys to captain, and this year’s director Alison Rogers leads an impressively effective backstage team.

The four-piece band directed by Max Sasim add hugely to the fun with their lively music.

“What shall we do with a drunken sailor?” we singalong. Clap, and hiss, and boo, and enjoy the mad charms of pantoland.

Director: Alison Rogers

Musical Director: Max Sasim

The cast includes: Billy Fishbones – Steve Powell, Jim Ladd – Katy Emms, Mrs Ladd – Justin Clinch and Dr Liversausage – Richard Rhodes.