It's panto time!

Oh no, it isn't. Oh yes, it is!!!!

Last week my family and I went to the panto. I know, I know, it is probably a bit late for a panto now, but I can assure you that on a freezing cold end of January night, at one of the most depressing times of the year, there is nothing better to lift your spirits than the traditional York Theatre Royal panto which will leave you happily glowing with warmth and smiles.

Before moving to York I didn’t have the slightest idea of what a pantomime was. When mu husband explained it to me I couldn’t get excited about it. Cross-dressing, slapsticks, audience participation? How is this supposed to work on adults and children altogether? But the first time I entered the lovely York Theatre Royal and watched the traditional Berwick Kaler’s pantomime I was hooked for life.

Over the last 30 years York Theatre Royal's annual pantomime has reached cult status. Critics and the audience agree that it's one of the best in the country. It doesn't rely on star names to pull in an audience, instead it relies on a group of regular actors; 'the lad' Martin Barrass, 'the villain' David Leonard, 'principal boy' Vincent Gray, who has replaced Suzy Cooper, now an act of her own, and, in particular on one man, Berwick Kaler, the Dame.

This year the story was based on Dick Turpin, the legendary Highwayman. Dick Turpin, who rides his beloved horse Black Bess from London to York to escape the law and the evil machinations of Count Vermin De Vile (David Leonard). Clearly the script does not follow the story or the legend but tells the tale of two villains looking for pole position - Dick Turpin, nephew of Betty (played by Kaler) against Count Vermin De Vile. This panto is extra special as it marks Berwick Kaler's 30th year as the show's dame; and the ever-thwarted baddie, David Leonard's 21st.

You simply can not stop yourself from having a smile on your face from the moment the curtain goes up until well after you get home following the show. There is little by the way of plot, but this only adds to the fun which you might think is all chaotic and made up on the spot, but is in fact very well rehearsed and outstandingly professional.

The traditional Kaler’s ingredients: the water scene, the song sheet, the UV lit scene in the dark, the wagon wheels, Berwick's fabulous dame, David Leonard's pelvic thrusts and Martin Barrass' skipping are all there. However we also manage to catch up with some dancing leprechauns, a strong-smelling policeman, an Abba medley, an hilarious Amy Winehouse sketch and a “York’s got talent” contest along the way which apparently has something to do with Dick Turpin…
…And of course the legendary and heavily sought after Waggon Wheels thrown into the crowd before the end of the show. My daughter even managed to catch one of those and triumphantly showed off it at school the next day.

If you haven't been to a York Theatre Royal panto before then you don't know what you're missing, come along next year (usually from the middle of December until the end of January) to the show and you will soon feel part of Berwick's "babbies and bairns" family.

[Panto photos courtesy of The Press]