It must be several years since I last went to a pantomime and then this year I managed two!
The first was an amateur performance by “Bemerton Players” – a group of local people who get together to put on a pantomime each year. A friend wanted to go as she had helped with props many years ago (although she found she didn’t recognise anyone who had been involved then). She wanted someone to go with – and to take – her.
The pantomime was “Beauty and the Beast” which I have only the vaguest idea of the story – not that it matters in a pantomime. So what was it like? Well, it was amateur, so much as you would expect! The dame was good, as was “Jack” – the comic character. The villain was weak and the principle boy and girl were teenagers, so one couldn’t hear them clearly….
It was a fairly traditional performance, with all the usual parts in it – boos for the villain, “he’s behind you” etc and well supported by local people.
The second was a (mostly) professional performance at the Playhouse. It was supposed to be “Dick Wittington” but the story line did not seem to have much to do with what one would expect!
There was a cat – which started as a toy but morphed into an actor on the way to London, I think, probably due to Fairy Bowbells? Quite why they then were going to the Isle of Wight and how the ferry from there got shipwrecked and ended up in Hollywood (!!) I haven’t yet worked out. They came back by an Elon Musk rocket, I gather! In other words, the story made no sense and wasn’t terribly funny, although there were some good jokes for the adults.
This time the villain looked quite villainous and could be heard (they did have microphones!) and there were again the traditional parts to a pantomime. I think it was probably trying to be modern and up-to-date and as I am not, it didn’t feel traditional enough for me, must be getting old….
So? I did quite enjoy both and found them amusing so had two fun evenings – different from my usual routines!