THE last time I went to a panto at the Playhouse, Robin Hood - who happened to be lodging with mates of mine - got his nose broken in a fracas after a visit to a local hostelry. Can you guess which one?
Wiltshire Creative refused to confirm or deny it but I know it for a fact.
Both these things, to me, say a lot about Salisbury which we simply shouldn’t gloss over, even though we might wish we could do so.
We’ve waited through some depressing times since then for the return of the Christmas highlight that our theatre always does so well.
And they didn’t disappoint. Cinderella was a triumph of traditional daftness over the grimness of today’s world.
Wiltshire Creative refused to confirm or deny it but I know it for a fact.
Both these things, to me, say a lot about Salisbury which we simply shouldn’t gloss over, even though we might wish we could do so.
We’ve waited through some depressing times since then for the return of the Christmas highlight that our theatre always does so well.
And they didn’t disappoint. Cinderella was a triumph of traditional daftness over the grimness of today’s world.
The sense of anticipation in the audience was palpable. They really wanted this wacky alternative reality – which is in fact so much a part of our national identity – to succeed in taking them to a happier place.
I thought the jokes were more adult than previously. Sometimes I found myself looking at children’s faces in the audience to see what they made of references to things they really shouldn’t have known about. I know double-entendres are a staple ingredient of panto, but looking back on the days when my boys were small, I wouldn’t have wanted to field the inevitable questions.
In fact, the whole setting was more modern, with the Ugly Sisters as social media influencers and Cinders, while still being a put-upon maid of all work, having a sideline as an inventor of improbable machines just to show a bit of female empowerment.
Having said which, this was a cracking show. The solo singers all had really strong voices, the costumes were as fantasmagorical as a box of Liquorice Allsorts, the hardworking musicians were great, and it would be wrong to pick out any individual members of such a talented ensemble cast.
I hope it’s the commercial success it deserves to be.
What my Ukrainian guests will make of this stylised lunacy I don’t know, but I’m buying them tickets for Christmas. And telling them that this is what they need to see to understand the English, haha!
I thought the jokes were more adult than previously. Sometimes I found myself looking at children’s faces in the audience to see what they made of references to things they really shouldn’t have known about. I know double-entendres are a staple ingredient of panto, but looking back on the days when my boys were small, I wouldn’t have wanted to field the inevitable questions.
In fact, the whole setting was more modern, with the Ugly Sisters as social media influencers and Cinders, while still being a put-upon maid of all work, having a sideline as an inventor of improbable machines just to show a bit of female empowerment.
Having said which, this was a cracking show. The solo singers all had really strong voices, the costumes were as fantasmagorical as a box of Liquorice Allsorts, the hardworking musicians were great, and it would be wrong to pick out any individual members of such a talented ensemble cast.
I hope it’s the commercial success it deserves to be.
What my Ukrainian guests will make of this stylised lunacy I don’t know, but I’m buying them tickets for Christmas. And telling them that this is what they need to see to understand the English, haha!
Pictures by The Other Richard
