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Event review
This was our first trip to a Panto as a family, I was a little unsure if my 4 and half year old would make sense of the Panto format, but it turned out to be a such a big success she didn’t want to go home at the end!
As we arrived we were greeted by an impressive set which made it clear that it really was going to be much bigger than your typical Panto. The Cinderella castle features a giant video screen to set the scene and add a modern twist. Armed with our 3D glassed we were ready for the show. We soon realised that even an arena stage wasn’t big enough for this show, as we looked to the sides our hearts were in our mouths as we watched the breath-taking acrobatic stunts.
Bradley Walsh as Buttons and Paul O’Grady as the Fairy Godfather made two excellent leads who you could tell were thoroughly enjoying their roles. They brought plenty of laughter, hilarious innuendo and ad-libbing as is to be expected in the best Panto and of course the wonderful chaos that comes with it! They are superbly supported by Dick & Dom as the Prince and Domdini, and Free Radio’s Foxy and Guiliano as the Ugly Sisters, along with a cast of singers, dancers, acrobats and animals.
Audience participation is a requirement of any good panto and this one was no exception – booing and hissing the ugly sisters, cheering on Buttons and joining in with the songs. The cast made sure the crowd were joining in and having a wonderful time. There was plenty of fun with the 3D effects, without distracting from the story, along with a little 4D thrown in for good measure.
Having not been to a Panto since I was young, I now can’t think why that is the case. This show had me laughing throughout and kept my little one entertained. In her own words: “I loved everything about it and I didn’t want to leave. My favourite part was shouting ‘Oh no he isn’t’”. We had a fabulous afternoon and we are certainly hoping for a return of the Biggest Pantomime next year as it’s likely to become a family tradition!
Verdict
This show really will get you in the mood for Christmas and bring a smile to your face. If you haven’t been to see it, buy your ticket now before it’s too late
Reviewed by Ruth Weston
