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Pantomime

(54 Posts)
fancyflowers Sun 04-Jan-26 19:22:14

I've just been to the pantomime, with both my 2 daughters and al 3 grandchildren. It was a total delight. (Oh no, it wasn't!)

Do you still go to a pantomime with your offspring and do you still enjoy it?

Mamar2 Mon 05-Jan-26 15:33:53

I paid for us all to go to our local panto, nearly £160. As I sat there I did wander if it was worth it. I looked down the row & my DD was laughing, my Grandaughter was shouting back to the Dame, my Grandson was on the edge of his seat laughing & my husband was doing a big belly laugh..... yes, it was worth every penny.

Sarahr Mon 05-Jan-26 15:21:20

Mum and Dad always took us to the Pantomime. I continued the tradition with my dc. Sadly, they are no longer here so I haven't been for several years. I would love to take grandchildren to the Pantomime to enjoy, as I enjoyed the Panto for all those years.

Lovetotravel Mon 05-Jan-26 14:52:07

Love going to a pantomime. We went on our own a few years ago (both in our 60’s) and over the past couple of years we’ve taken our two granddaughters who live near us to one. We took them to one then took other two granddaughters, son and wife to another after Christmas. Our son who is 40 enjoyed it, didn’t think he would so it was lovely watching his face smiling and laughing.

lizzypopbottle Mon 05-Jan-26 14:49:05

Oh! Yes it was!

SpringsEternal Mon 05-Jan-26 14:13:02

We went to plays as children, but I started the pantomime tradition with my daughter and grandchildren and we all love it.

Sarnia Mon 05-Jan-26 14:07:29

A trip to the panto for all my family who want to go has been my treat for almost 50 years now. Over the years with children and grandchildren living in different parts of the country, the numbers have waned. This Christmas we were down to 5 of us but we went along and joined in the fun of Snow White. I love the whole thing. The noise, the corny jokes, the garish costumes, everything. I daresay it will be just me going in a few years time.

win Mon 05-Jan-26 13:57:49

I took the group I run to the pantomime last Saturday where we saw Mother Goose. Absolutely wonderful, we had a wonderful afternoon with lots of laughs. We go every year and will see a second one in February. Can't beat a good Pantomime.

Fallingstar Mon 05-Jan-26 13:46:43

I don’t like panto but did take the GCs to one a couple of years ago. I had bad memories of going to a panto as a child and
being asked to go on stage by Buttons, I was terrified and never wanted to go again.
But am glad the tradition continues for those who so obviously enjoy it - as well as their children and GCs.

keepingquiet Mon 05-Jan-26 13:44:35

I love panto! The first time I went to a theatre it was to see a panto. It was Babes in the Wood and was magical!

I'm sad to say I have never been to a panto with my GCs. I think they are missing out.

Astitchintime Mon 05-Jan-26 13:40:05

We go every year….started off as just four of us some years ago and each year our group increases by at least two extra……fabulous night regardless of the performance.

Ashcombe Sun 04-Jan-26 23:11:36

petra

Ashcomb
Is that your own bondage necklace 😂

Yes, made years ago by a fellow thespian by sticking together a dog collar (not the ecclesiastical kind!) and a spiky choker from Claire’s.

Crossstitchfan Sun 04-Jan-26 23:03:55

ronib

Saw a panto today with my two grandchildren who were delighted to be sprayed with water twice from the stage. That was a new experience for me too.

I would absolutely HATE that! No wonder I hate pantomimes and have done for as long as I can remember.
I have got a good sense of humour but not for that sort of carry on!

Maggiemaybe Sun 04-Jan-26 22:54:42

We’ve been to two this year with the grandsons - one very traditional, the other billed as a rock and roll panto, with every member of the cast an accomplished musician. I thoroughly enjoyed both, even though I claim every year, before we actually get there, that I’m not really keen on pantos. grin

Being sprayed with water’s always fun, ronib. But a couple of years ago I was sitting in the very middle of the stalls, not too far back. When the usual swinging of the bucket towards the audience happened, I didn’t duck like everyone else, expecting it to be full of glittery paper, as it had been in the first half… Well, this time it wasn’t, and the deluge hit me full in the face, much to everyone’s amusement. I was still soaking wet when the show finished. I did get a special thank you at the end for being a good sport though. grin

fancyflowers Sun 04-Jan-26 22:54:16

ronib

Saw a panto today with my two grandchildren who were delighted to be sprayed with water twice from the stage. That was a new experience for me too.

That sounds like the one we went to, or maybe most of them so that. Ours was with the legendary Tim Stedman.

MayBee70 Sun 04-Jan-26 22:54:08

Oh I love pantomime. I have such fond memories of our village pantos which sadly ceased to be many years ago. I would laugh till I cried sometimes. I usually buy tickets for my son to take his kids to one; I am invited too but sadly struggle with walking from the car park to the theatre. I used to take my other grandchildren to see a small touring company called Odd Socks and their pantos were as good as any with well known actors. There is something so magical about going to the theatre.

ginny Sun 04-Jan-26 22:53:10

We went to the Milton Keynes panto with our family. All of us had a great time. Booked for next year as soon as we came out . Same as we did last year.

ronib Sun 04-Jan-26 22:34:28

Saw a panto today with my two grandchildren who were delighted to be sprayed with water twice from the stage. That was a new experience for me too.

Gingster Sun 04-Jan-26 22:24:07

Just back from a Panto with my Dd and gd aged 10.

It was such fun with lots of laughter.
I haven’t been to one for a few years but really enjoyed it.

I was at the same one as GrannyGravy

petra Sun 04-Jan-26 22:12:15

Ashcomb
Is that your own bondage necklace 😂

Ashcombe Sun 04-Jan-26 22:08:13

Pantomime is a peculiarly British phenomenon of which we should be proud! For many children, pantomime is their first introduction to live theatre and may lead to an interest in a wider range of performing arts.

Information on its history may be found here:-

www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-story-of-pantomime

BlueBelle Sun 04-Jan-26 20:21:31

I can’t stand pantomimes I don’t find them funny they are so predictable I m sure they re great when you’re 8 and yes I took my grandkids when they were young but they leave me cold

Norah Sun 04-Jan-26 20:18:32

We go to pantomimes. Enjoyed by all our many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and daughters. We enjoy that bit of Christmas.

GrannyGravy13 Sun 04-Jan-26 20:15:31

Have been with family to see Cinderella at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend (Rylan Clark and Ross King). Brilliant, from 6 to 68 we all laughed until we cried.

Next Sunday I and a group of girlfriends are going to the last performance of the pantomime at The London Palladium with Nigel Havers, Julian Clary, Katherine Tate and many others. Costumes are always fabulous, humour for all ages.

Ashcombe Sun 04-Jan-26 19:44:51

In the past, I've performed in amateur productions of pantomime, usually as one half of the two comic characters, but occasionally as a witch or a fairy.

Now we enjoy watching my DGD participating in semi-pro performances in which she is a member if the dance team.

Grandma70s Sun 04-Jan-26 19:35:55

I decided when I was six that I didn’t like pantomimes because they messed up the story. We went to plays and ballet instead. Same with my children and grandchildren, though we did go to some good amateur pantomimes when my children were young.