A principal boy played by a woman, a dame played by a man, chants of “He’s behind you!”, two men in a horse costume, a good fairy, an evil villain, and the obligatory guest celebrity – it can only mean one thing, the panto season is upon us again!
A wide variety of performances can be enjoyed in the West Country this year – here are a few notables, with places to stay for each:
In Truro, the Good Fairy's best magic is tested to the extreme in Sleeping Beauty at the Hall for Cornwall. With a little help from the audience, we think she’ll prevail. A peaceful nap awaits at Nansavallan Farmhouse.
TV's Sandra Dickinson takes the lead in Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs (pictured) at the Exeter Corn Exchange. Off to Swallow Barn Cottage you go.
At the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, squeaky-voiced comedian Joe Pasquale stars as Muddles in another production of Sleeping Beauty – or should that be ‘Squeaking Beauty’… Admire the ever-changing scenes at Riverside.
Dick Whittington is the choice at Exmouth Pavillion, with a ‘daring, thigh-slapping adventure’ guaranteed. It’s the cat’s whiskers at The Quay.
The good folk at the Flavel Theatre in Dartmouth will perform Cinderella – the popular tale of a pretty young girl who lived with her father, stepmother and ugly stepsisters. Will she find her glass slipper – and her Prince? Have a ball at Oak Tree.
Celebrity spotters might be interested in another performance of Cinderella, at the Playhouse in Weston Super Mare, starring Coronation Street's Sean Wilson, Eternal's Kelle Bryan and A Touch of Frost's John Lyons. Back to Glebe Cottage before midnight!
And last but not least, another performance of Cinderella at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth, stars Carry On and Corrie star Amanda Barrie, Last of the Summer Wine’s Tom Owen and Chris Jarvis from CBeebies. Don’t lose your slippers at Poppy Cottage (pictured above).
