h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Me and Chris went to a pantomime last night (Oh yes we did!). It was 'Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood' at the New Wolsey Theatre. And it was jolly good.

The last time I went to a panto was nearly 20 years ago, so I had largely forgotten what the experience was like. I thought it was great fun. Robin Hood was terribly vain and a bit camp, the Sherif of Nottingham was completely over the top, the dame (Nanny Nelly Night Nurse) was even further over the top and the babes were not children but scantilly clad lovelys who came on to the theme music from Sex and the City and were called Britney and Whitney. Maid Marian was feisty, the Merry Men were merry and the Sherif's henchmen were dumb. Personally, I thought the production could have been about 20 minutes shorter (there were too many songs), but I still enjoyed it and I think I might go again next year. (I clapped enough to make my fingers swell up again - note to self, do not wear rings to the theatre).

The players were incredible and most of them had to play more than one part in the show. AND, apart from having to act and dance and sing, they all also had to play at least one musical instrument each. The actors were also the band!

This particular show was a special late night performance added to the show's run in order to raise money for the Red Cross Tsunami Appeal. Tickets were purchased by making a donation to the appeal. The fact that they had done two performances in one evening increases my admiration for the actors even further. At the end of the performance they announced that they had been collecting on the door for the Tsunami Appeal ever since the disaster happend, and the door collections added to the money raised last night comes to a total of over £13,000! Wow!.

Sounds like good fun An impressive total raised too

hi liz,sounds as though you had a good time.It was always a tradition in our family that we went to the panto....until my girls were almost teenagers,but the grandchildren have been a few times and enjoyed it.They have been to the disney on ice ,,,and aparently it's fantastic!!!
They did well on the fund raising!!

It was a good night, although my work colleague (whose idea it was we should go) said that it is usually better than it was on Friday.

I forgot to mention that Peter Purves (remember him? Presented 'Blue Peter' in the 1970's and 'Kick Start' in the 80's) is the Chairman of the Wolsey Theatre and I stood right next to him in the box office. I was amused to note that he was wearing a name badge, but then I suppose anyone under 25 probably wouldn't know who he is.

What a great evening. When the children were younger I took them to the panto and they were so scared by the dame (Trevor Bannister) and the Baron Hardup and confused by the fact that Jack was played by a girl, we left before the interval. So for a couple of years after that, I took them to see Sleeping Beauty on Ice and The Nutcracker on Ice. More gentle and no audience participation. I think that now though, they would have loved what you went to see. Oh no they wouldn't! Oh yes they would!