Tower and Town, December 2021(view the full edition)Arts ReviewIt’s Panto season! (Oh no it’s not…!) Love it or loathe it, the Festive season is, by and large, all about Panto. I love pantomimes! Oh what joy there is in settling down into the red velvet stalls, and to have before you a huge, twinkling set that spells out Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk or whichever fairy tale hasn’t yet been exhausted before your feasting eyes. Normally, I’m a stickler for auditorium manners, and if I do find myself sitting near someone who insists on opening a packet of sweets during a performance, they will receive a stern look and a tap on the shoulder. But, panto is so loud and joyous that even the Ebeneezer Scrooge in me allows for a little more crinkling, crackling and hooting from the audience if it feeds off the show itself – which it always does. Panto’s are for laughing, being silly – audience participation… much like the music halls of yester year! Have you even been to a panto if you don’t come home with a large foam thumb and a light-up wand? There is, generally speaking, always a pretty blonde who plays the down-and-out maidservant, and a cheeky-chappy Buttons who doesn’t have a hope in hell, but still merrily duets with said girl to Especially for You by Kylie and Jason. But, there is nothing like a Dame… and so on, the wardrobe departments always pull out the stops when it comes to costumes, wigs, hair and make-up - particularly with Widow Twanky’s ensemble. Oh what more should be said than, if you can, I suggest getting yourself and the family off to see a pantomime this Christmas. They’re fun, it’s good for you, and there’s plenty of it about! Some suggestions: Cinderella at The Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Gabriella Venus |