It’s been that time of year again. Its awfully cold and we’re faced with the blues of returning to the same old office/workplace/classroom and drudging on with life. There’s no need to get all melancholic just because its January, the pantos are in full swing to cheer us up.

I’m sitting in a packed theatre on a Friday night and the cries of ‘Oh no it hasn’t, oh yes it has!’ ring throughout the hall, of course a panto isn’t a panto without it. I went along with friends to see Aladdin at the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.

This long running British tradition is enjoyable and entertaining family fun. I must admit it was my first visit to a pantomime show and it didn’t disappoint; admittedly I was a little shocked to see the amount of adults that came without kids! I was under the impression pantomimes are for young children really; however the humour and satire appeals to all ages.

Adults alike were joining in on the banter and unsuspecting members of the audience happily allowing themselves as victims of humour. Well known faces Christopher Biggins as Widow Twankey and Paul Zedin [the ventriloquist] as Aladdin were the star attractions. Yet the usually forgotten about cast of singers and dancers, heroes and villains were certainly as talented and deserve as much recognition as the ‘stars’.

The standard of the visual effects and illusions are a credit to the creatives behind the show. The use of 3D has really helped bring pantos into the 21st century. The genie makes its appearance in 3D and looks almost like the scene from the Disney classic. There’s a scene in 3D in which the audience are digested by a monster and are transported through it’s digestive system. It caused quite a stir from what I can remember, kids and adults alike started to scream.

Personally, I feel young kids will be more enchanted by the pantomime, however adults I’m sure will appreciate the 3D moments and comedy as much as children. A truly colourful and musical extravaganza which if you feel is your ‘cup of tea’ you still have time to experience {if you be quick} as shows run until 30th Jan.

by Pamilla Sidhu