WE all know the feeling.

The lights go up a bit, the cast give evil grins and the audience start sliding down in their seats in a desperate attempt to make themselves look as inconspicuous as possible.

Yes, it’s audience participation time.

Somehow in the years between childhood outings to the panto and adult trips to the theatre, the urgent desire to be included (me, me, pick me!) turns into an equally urgent desire not to be (oh, god, please don’t pick on me).

But that’s not to say we won’t thoroughly enjoy it once the panic for our own sakes is over, and some other poor soul is up on the stage pretending to be a giraffe.

Because when it’s done well - and the cast do need to be skilled and in control of a situation where they don’t really know what might happen - it’s hilarious.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company, who were at the Playhouse on Friday, know how to do it in style.

A mortified woman had her moment of fame as Ophelia, her ego was played by another audience member running up and down the stage, and a poor bloke in the front row who hadn’t waved his arms with enough enthusiasm when told to do so was ordered to stand up, ‘face the rest of the class’ and do it on his own.

They all coped with admirable aplomb, especially Ophelia – or Bob, as the cast insisted on calling her – who gamely got into the spirit of the thing and gave the required scream of madness right on cue.

Audience participation works because it makes you feel a part of the performance and it works best when the cast are as likeable and talented as they were on Friday, and do it with a touch of understanding kindness and gratitude as well as good humour.

Everyone was a good sport, despite the embarrassment, and it made a show that was hilarious to start with even funnier.

But I’m still very glad they didn’t pick on me.

* I have to give a special mention to the people in the aisle opposite us who realised about five minutes before the show started that they were in the wrong place and about to watch the wrong thing.

Thankfully the City Hall and Madeleine Peyroux were only next door.

I hope you enjoyed your evening as much as we enjoyed ours.