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 |