I am fortunate with two theatres very close to me. One is very small, only main audotium and stage is down on ground floor. Because of he layout It is easy to see into the audiance from any of the seats. Wonderful small touring company (5 actors and a technician) gave a wonderful show of Jack and the Beanstalk. Went with a group of adults to early afternoon performance. I was able to watch the very large number of young children having the time of their lives and totally caught up in the show. When the 'good fairy' was trapped by the 'bad fairy' in a 'magicians box', into which swords, etc were inserts the children were totally horrified. One little boy near me actually covered his eyes, of course their joy when she was rescued and safe was equally wonderful. Brilliant company, worked so hard and traditional. Not just the Dame, but also leading boy was a girl. 'Silly Billy', played his young audience perfectly as they encouraged him to keep turning on the music despite his Mum(Dame) telling him he must not. Not quite sure of ethics of getting these youngsters to disobey his parent, but they did love it.
Nothing they can do on screens will ever be as good as this.
My local daughter and I plus some of her grown up children always go to other theatre for their pantomime boxing day afternoon. No small children now in my family youngest are in mid-teens. But we still enjoy this - same company each year.
Panto is such a wonderful legacy in UK. Loo roll manufactuers much like it these days also.!!!!