I have to admit, it’s a long time since I visited my local Panto.  Mad really, as when I was little we went pretty much every year and I loved it.  The thing is, our last attempt at Pantomime fun was thwarted by a 35 week pregnant Ms Beaufoix falling down the stairs and breaking a toe.  Mr B still took the then 4 year old Miss E but she was so terrified by King Rat (AKA Alf from Home and Away), that we never ventured back.

Now 5 years on and with a ‘much braver’ 9 year old Miss E, an ‘already used to scary stuff as I have a big sister’ 4 year old Miss M, a ‘non injured’ Mummy, and a ‘happy to step in at the last minute as Mr B can’t make it’ Grandad, we ventured once more into Panto land at Mansfield’s small but perfectly formed Palace Theatre.

If I’m honest, having not seen panto as an adult I was slightly worried that my childhood memories may not live up to the wisdom and cynicism of adulthood, but I was happy to be wrong in that.  Because, we had an absolutely brilliant time.

Mansfield’s Aladdin was a blast from beginning to end.  The script was well written with an equal balance of old favourites brought up to date with a few timely cultural references that had the parents snorting while the kids smiled innocently as cheeky but harmless innuendo wooshed over their heads.

During a slightly slow but enjoyable start, characters were introduced and the premise for the story was outlined in a clear and simple way.   This was also the ideal time for answering such questions as:

Miss E:  ”Why is Aladdin a girl Mummy?”

and, on witnessing the arrival of Widow Twankey complete with fright wig and bloomers…

Miss M:  ”Mummy, what is dat?”

Louis Emerick took on the role of Abanazer with great success and had I not forwarned Miss M that it was alright to ‘boo’ and that baddies never win in these things, we might have had a bit of a problem, but the four of us booed to our hearts content and Miss M asserted that should he come near her she would kick him.

The Princess was charming but not too sickly sweet.  Widow Twanky was fabulous and had both Misses E and M giggling at her huge variety of hideous costumes and wigs, their favourite being the Amy Winehouse ensemble.

Songs from Disney’s Aladdin and also Hannah Montana had my two little monkeys singing along, and the crowd needed no prompting to join in the usual rounds of “Oh no it isn’t.   Oh yes it is”  and “He’s behind you.”

Miss E was very impressed with CBBC’s ‘Abs’ playing the affable and slightly dim PC Pong, and my dad thoroughly enjoyed  the decorating sketch he (PC Pong, not my Dad) performed alongside Wishy Washy, a homage to Bruce Forsyth and Norman Wisdom’s well loved wall paper sketch.  There really was something for all ages, though I’m not sure what the very elderly lady behind us thought to my 4 year old’s dancing as she does tend to wiggle her bottom a lot and I know it would have shocked my Gran!!

The star of the show for us was ‘Wishy Washy’ played by Mansfield born Rik Gaynor.  Everything from his voice to his facial expressions, to his warmth and humour when dealing with the children he invited onto the stage, created belly laughs, and the fact that he used the word ‘fart’ at least once has ensured he has a fan for life in Miss M.

From start to finish we had enormous, cheshire cat like grins on our faces. We had an absolutely fantastic time and will definitely be going again next year.

FACT BOX

What:  Aladdin

When: Saturday 28 November – Sunday 3 January 2010

Where:  The Palace Theatre, Mansfield

Tickets available here.

This post is part of the Having A Lovely Time ‘Great British Panto’ Review.  The lovely folks at Mansfield Place Theatre have given me and my family the opportunity to see their show and as a thank you I have made a donation to NACCPO.  If you have enjoyed this review, and have a little cash to spare, even a tiny bit, then please head over to our Just Giving page and help us to help families whose children aren’t facing the best Christmas.  Maybe you could see it as just one extra gift to buy this year??

P.S.  Most unintentionally hilarious moment of the night goes to Miss M (4), who at the interval turned to my Dad and repeated the phrase meant to be shouted whenever Widow Twankey sneezed, only she got it a bit wrong…

Miss M:  ”Use your Hankey Mrs Wankey.”

Grandad:  ”Choke, cough, splutter.”

Mummy:  ”Snort.”