Pantomime glitters for Christmas - review (From Stroud News and Journal)

Pantomime glitters for Christmas - review

LOVE it or hate it, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a pantomime. Oh no it wouldn't.

And there's no getting away from the tried and tested old favourites.

We all know the stories, inside out, upside down so no surprises there. No balancing on the edge of the seat wondering what will happen but despite that, the panto never fails to thrill and delight.

Dick Whittington, the story of a young lad and his cat who head off to London in the hope of finding the streets paved with gold is running at the Everyman, Cheltenham until January 11, 2003.

Three people played the part of the cat in this production from kitten to adulthood and yes, ok, we all knew it wasn't real but that didn't stop gasps of "aaahhh" whenever the poor moggy was getting a rum deal.

As usual the best insults were kept for King Rat, who manages to look both menacing and strangely endearing at the same time.

The costumes, the glitter and the make-believe of panto just adds to the magic of Christmas and this particular stage set glitters to extreme, especially in the finale when Dick marries the girl of his dreams.

My 15-year-old son accompanied me reluctantly to this production amid protests that panto is "only for little children."

He did try very hard not to laugh but as the first act got off the ground he could fight it off no longer as a smirk gave way to a good old belly laugh. He even joined in the silly songs which we all sang in the car on the way home - just like they do in all the best fairy stories.