Panto, panto, panto – who doesn’t love a pantomime? Well, me…kind of.
I haven’t seen a pantomime for possibly 20 years and my memories of it are being embarrassed and not really enjoying it. That being said, I was around 13 and probably didn’t understand the jokes aimed at the adults and was too old/trying to be cool to get into the kiddy parts.
So, when I was invited to go and see Aladdin at Norwich Theatre Royal I had mixed feelings, but I honestly loved it. There was just the right amount of ‘cheese’, booing, bad jokes, good jokes, audience participation, singing, dancing and general pantomime frolic.
I was genuinely impressed with the songs, staging, actors (including the children, such cute pandas!) and the magic carpet parts were awesome – I was not expecting it to be so impressive. Wishee Washee (Ben Langley) and Widow Twanky (Richard Gauntlet) were my biggest worries as I thought they would be the cringiest part of the show, but they were actually my favourites. Seeing their shrunken selves after being tumble dried was comedy genius, an hilarious idea!! (Go and see it and you’ll know what I mean!).
I also didn’t expect the show to be so up-to-date, with songs by Katy Perry and from The Greatest Showman it meant there was something for everyone, and seeing a theatre full of children and adults laughing, clapping, joining in and having a fantastic time was really lovely.
The show started at 7.30pm and was finished around 10pm, so a late show for little ones and I chose not to take my eldest with me as I knew it would be too much for her, but at a little over 4-years-old I think she’d just about be able to sit through a matinee performance.
I don’t think anyone would regret going to see this and it has possibly even converted me into a future pantomime go-er! Who would have thought it?
Aladdin is on at Norwich Theatre Royal from now until January the 13th 2019. You can book tickets at the box office online or by calling 01603 630000.
