Pantomime Time

Dick Whittington at Milton Keynes Theatre - Christmas Eve

It is our tradition now that we go to the Christmas Eve pantomime and despite the snow, this year would be no exception.  We hadn't got tickets for Mike as he was due to be working - but had been sent home from work ill that morning (they wanted him well for Christmas morning) - so it was to be just Jamie and I.  I knew my friend J was going to be there with children and grandchildren and thought I would keep an eye out for them but wouldn't have been suprised if I missed them.  We saw them which was lovely, lots of hugs and kisses and lovely to meet her grandchildren. 

They were sat in a similar part of the theatre to us it turned out but J and S headed in, Jamie and I followed a couple of minutes later only to spot a couple of spare seats near where J and her family were sat.  What a coincidence we were sat next to them- couldn't quite believe it!! but jolly lovely it was too.

The panto was Dick Whittington which was a change for MK so I was eagerly looking forward to sharing a whole new experience with Jamie.  It was good in all of its aspects - costumes, staging, lighting, etc all worked well but there was something missing - it just seemed to lack that extra little bit of  pazzazz that the panto has had for some time here in MK (we were lucky to have Bradley Walsh for 2 or 3 years on the trot who was brilliant).

There were some stars past and present - Dirk Benedict - Face from the A Team, Joanna Page from Gavin and Stacey, Shona Lindsay who appeared to have been in most of the famous musicals doing the rounds, Graham Hoadly as the Dame, Tucker was Dick and Stavros Flately.  Dirk Benedict tried hard but just didn't quite pull it off as the baddie - he was too nice, Joanna Page and Tucker were no more than average and Shona Lindsay good but not outstanding.  Graham Hoadly was good as the Dame but then its difficult to get a panto dame wrong and perhaps the biggest cheer of the night went to Stavros Flately (making hay whilst the sun shines and who can blame them).

There was nothing wrong with the show, but there was something missing too.  The real highlights were the 3D section which brought a new dynamic to panto and Stavros Flately who were genuinely funny.  Hope next years is more up to MK standards.


Ciao
Sue
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Reading challenge 15/16 - currently reading Learn to Be An Optimist by Lucy MacDonald