Past pantos.

Would love to take some kids to the theatre! Does anyone remember seeing "Hair"? Loves the songs and bought an old 'll of it. Was shocked at the nude scene. I remember princess Anne saw it twice,

Find a musical - my children went down to London every year with me by coach and saw all the famous shows - they loved it all and knew every word of each one! Joseph and the Amazing etc is very popular with young ones.

I took a group of deprived 11 and 12 year olds to see it and they were ecstatic!

My mum always used to say that "when big aunty Dorothy dies, we,'ll be okay!" That's how we referred to her! But all mum got was a measly £50! So did my sister, because she was always very extrovert and showy! Well, this has been fun for me!

Oh, thank you, Harrigran! Yes, she was known to have very good legs! (Fat, by today's standard!) My mum had nice legs, but mine are awful, but as they work, I don't care anymore. Her husband got royalties for "If You're Irish, Come into the parlour) it's all rubbish really because all these years later, there's no good legacy from it all. All I've got from her is my face (like a saucepan lid) , no living relatives, and a dubious heritage! And some anecdotes.

I was reading the life story of Tony Hancock and it mentioned some friends of Dorothys (Vert and Doris...Cecily courtnidde)that's what reminded me of Aunt Dorothy This Kindle and its predictive texting drives me crazy!

I really don't know anything about Dorothy Ward other than she was an actress and singer and her husband used to play a pantomime Dame but here is a photo I found of her, very fetching.

Oh, Harrigran, do tell me more, please!!!

Yes!! You must know about her. Her brother was my mums dad.....Lesley Ward. And my mums brother was an extra in coronation St. They were best friends with Beryil Reid. My mum even wore clothes passed along by dear old Beryril!!

I guess we are talking about Dorothy Ward here, how interesting.

My brother dared to go and see her (where she lived in Baker Street) and all she did was talk about herself. her sister, Renee, was lovely but was always overshadowed by Dorothy! don't know what's bought all this to mind! I've got lots of stories about her if anyone's interested.

quite strange having famous relatives! Her son directed "Thomas Beckett" and as he was gay, was mentioned in many famous men,s biographies ha ha!

My great aunt was "The Worlds Most Famous Principal Boy" we were the poor relations, especially after my mum married my dad ......."A German"

My sister (also a Grandma) and I have freebie tickets for the Ideal home Christmas Show at Earls Court - where there's an ice skating rink. Should I have a go or not? My sister says she won't but my kids are telling me I should live life to the max. Can't say I fancy a broken bone (have a wedding to attend soon, and a cast is not a good look) but then again...............

Yes we have some tickets for the RAH Christmas sing-a-long and looking forward to it. Staying the night in a boat! moored on the Thames, and then will do some Christmas sightseeing the following day

Ooooh, Royal Albert Hall. Now who can I drag along persuade to come with me !

I would love to go to the Christmas sing-a-long GA posted link for. A bit too far from Kent though

My DH and I try to go to a pantomime of some kind every year. Last year we went to a production of "The Sleeping Beauty" put on in Riding Mill by the amateur theatre group there. We really enjoyed it and it was the perfect start to our Christmas.

I didn't know that. I'm really glad you shared it. Pantomime fascinates me.

I was at an interesting meeting where a man spoke about pantomimes, he was very much involved with the one at Brighton. I did not know that these started out life as little comic plays after the serious ones, back in the old days. They were in fact little mimes which told the story of husbands who were being cuckold by their wives. They were so popular that they eventually became the main event. And the slapstick was in fact two pieces of flat wood which was 'slapped' to make the noise. Just thought you might like to know that useless piece of information.

You can never outgrow pantomime. You don't need children. In fact it's better not to have young children as it means you don't have to go to the noisy matinee lol.

Derby Playhouse often do a version of A Christmas Carol; they're doing so again this year. No matter how many times we see it, we still enjoy it. One year they did The BFG; although primarily aimed at children I don't think an adult anywhere wouldn't have enjoyed it. Productions of The Snowman are always good, too.

I don't know how old your grandchildren are, but if they are around 10 and upwards I recommend Slava's Snow Show. It's truly magical for everyone.

Here are a few ideas rubylady:

www.visitmanchester.com/articles/christmas/events/family-christmas-carols-at-tatton-park/

www.visitmanchester.com/articles/christmas/events/hall%C3%A9-carol-concert/

www.visitmanchester.com/articles/christmas/events/the-hall%C3%A9-s-christmas-sing-along/

www.visitmanchester.com/articles/christmas/events/third-thursday-late-christmas-ghost-stories/

www.visitmanchester.com/articles/christmas/events/little-shop-of-horrors/

That's lovely PRINTMISS glad that he has a great outing for his birthday and you are never too old for panto!

I am really lucky, because our son, (if you have read my blog you will know he has learning disability), has his birthday on Christmas eve, and although he is now a grown man, he loves the panto - takes after me, and so the birthday treat is a panto visit on his birthday, when all the children are there, and yelling their heads off. All three of us are the geriatrics of the panto, although there are often a lot of grandparents there on that day. Sets the scene for what I think is one of the nicest times of the year.