Go on..get out and enjoy a live panto (From Warrington Guardian)

Go on..get out and enjoy a live panto

ON Boxing Day my family and I went to see the pantomime Cinderella at the newly-refurbished Theatre Royal in St Helens. What a feast of entertainment awaited us.

Gareth Wilde as Hyacinth Hardup, one of the Ugly Sisters, was excellent (as usual). Dandini was most impressive and Cinderella herself was superb. The Fairy Godmother, too, was outstanding. Schnorbitz the dog clearly enjoyed himself and even the somewhat uncoordinated juggler added to the afternoon's fun.

There were also some very attractive dance sequences and many opportunities for participation on the part of the audience, both planned and unplanned.

All in all, it was a hugely successful performance and was very much enjoyed by all of us, adults and children alike.

It seems to be the trend nowadays for people not to go to see live performances, preferring instead to stay at home and watch TV and videos. This is a pity, I feel. Children, particularly, can gain so much, both educationally and socially, from the experience.

Indeed, as a family we are all still talking about our lovely afternoon whenever we meet.

So, readers, why not visit the pantomime yourselves before the children return to school? It runs until January 11, so there is still time. Support your local theatre and enjoy yourselves in the process.

AUDREY Westhead OBE, Dentons Green.