Panto - Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Wow - my first ever Panto.  Well, the very slightest memories of going to Rickmansworth Watersmeet and seeing something with Noddy and sawing a woman in half, but was very very young and Noddy doesn't actually sound that Panto like!  We saw this advertised at the Wycombe Swan when we saw Radio Times. We texted family to see if they wanted to come and John's side of the family sure did.  Why?  Because like us they are huge Strictly Come Dancing fans and this starred and was directed/choreographed (not sure?) by meany judge himself: Craig Revel Horwood as the evil queen and it starred comedy dancer from a couple of seasons ago, Anne Widdecombe as...Widdy!

So after school on Thursday 14th December off we went back to Wycombe.  I was excited but apprehensive!  I didn't really know what to expect.  I felt I might like it but the reason I had never really been was because Mum would always groan at them and say how awful they are!  I had intended to go by myself before in Malvern, but thinking about it, that would have been strange to be by myself!

We had dinner in the theatre restaurant beforehand again and I was pleased to see that there were more adults than children congregating!  We had bought practically the last seats and were sat up in the farthest corner at the top.  There was a funny confusion with the usher who kept telling us to use the other door but that involved climbing up over railings which wasn't really on! 

We all took our seats as it was starting and I am pleased to say it was a pleasant performance.  It opened with a good musical number which made me think I was seeing a musical!  Then Craig came on and stole the show.  He was brilliant and funny and danced and sang and had great stage presence - dressed full on as the Queen!  The bits with him in were the best!  Ann was quite funny, but not really intentionally, she just seemed to be being herself which was funny enough!  I also learnt lots of other bits that are apparently standard panto happenings.  Like reading out special mentions for birthdays and groups; children up on stage trying something out and getting a goody bag; the extremely risque comments that you hope are going completely over the heads of the children.  The sort of compère of the evening who interacted with the audience was called Muddles and was a ventriloquist.  Not something I am usually a fan of but he was impressive with his skunk Pongo!

I think a good evening was had by all and to top it off, as we were saying our good byes outside the theatre, who should we see coming out of the stage door but Craig himself and we ran down the corridor and got his autograph and a photo!  woop woop what excitement!