Which Pantomimes Are You Seeing This Year?

Actually the only reason I would consider seeing this is for Firman, I think he's a brilliant showman, but couldn't care less about the rest (obviously I appreciate Lesley Garrett has a lovely voice but that's not enough to tempt me to book). I was dithering waiting for this or booking Croydon to see Tim Vine, also in Cinderella (and will likely be a much funnier production!)

I hope it’s not pants!!!

Just out of interest, what's the most anyone's ever paid for panto tickets? I ask because I was looking at going to Mother Goose in Canterbury as it's one of those pantos I've always wanted to see and haven't yet, but it would cost just over £90 for two of us. I'd expect to pay that (grudgingly!) in London, but since when did provincial panto become quite so expensive? I know theatres make most of their money etc, but unless the biggest star in the world is in it I think anything above £40 each is excessive.

That's very true, but I do appreciate that London will always be at the top end, with  the Palladium the absolute apex. I was just surprised at the cost in Canterbury. my local in Bournemouth for example is £24

Christopher turned 70 late last year and said he was going to stop doing pantos at this age as he'll still be 70 when this year's show opens he could be covered either way.

I can remember reading that he said he'd signed up for 3 more pantos which would take him up to 70 but I don't know if it was 3 or 4 years ago or if he missed a year recently too.

If it is going to be his final year then I'd hope he gets a fitting send off as he has been one of the great dames of his generation.

Apparently he was first offered the dame role when he was doing Porridge he was reluctant to do it as he thought it would stop him being seen as a serious actor but the money was good and possibly Ronnie Barker said to him if you do it and are good at it you've got a role for life and you can say you've earned X amount for the role when you go for other roles in the future.

Also what are people's opinions on adult panto? (the irony of course being that there's nothing inherently adult about how childish it all is!). A relative is insisting on dragging us to a touring production of one and I have no idea if it'll be buttock-clenchingly cringworthy or actually a fun, raucous, ribald night out. My only experience of it is watching a Jim Davidson one on video and loathing it but that could be biased as the words I'd use to describe Jim Davidson certainly can't be printed here!

Ha, fair! Going back to normal panto, is Biggins now the longest serving Dame? I know retirement's been on the cards for a few years now and if this is to be the year I can't miss it!

xanady, I think.

Ahaaaaaaaa!

I have been told Biggins has played a Dame 32 times so even with him having the odd year off, he must have done Buttons or other roles a fair few times?

I was thinking who on the panto circuit must have done the most years in Panto?

Any thoughts - Keith Simmmons, Biggins, Jeffrey Holland, Paul Chuckle, Robin Colville are names that immediately spring to mind.

A dark horse could be Dawson Chance who has been around since early 1970's and must have a load of pantos to his name?

The Patton Brothers were well ahead of anyone else a few years back. When I spoke to Keith Simmons once he was on his 40th something panto then and said the Pattons were about 10 ahead of him.