It’s on its way – ready or not! Panto season is almost upon us, but why do we love it so; and where are the best Cornish performances this December?
What makes a good panto?
British humour tops the list for us, full of slapstick humour and double meanings. Jolly japes and things that go over little heads – everyone will be in hysterics.
Audience participation: essential (oh yes, it is!) Booing at the baddie and cheering at the heroine, to calling ‘it’s behind you’; helps the performance along but most importantly is great fun.
The panto dame will be a well made-up chap, and the hero played by a strapping lady. It’s just how it belongs to be.
Panto cow, or horse (or any other animal in fact) are an important ingredient. Usually 2 humans (front and back legs), in varying degrees of ungainliness. Perfect.
The storyline
Usually based on a fairy-tale, good prevails over evil. It’s that simple. Each production will have a fresh perspective, and local performances tend to include village jokes too.
Why is panto Christmassy?
Because t’is the season! To be merry, and for everyone to enjoy. It lifts the mid-winter spirits – no other show quite does what a panto does.
Off to a Christmas market or to see some festive illuminations? Marvellous! Now for the panto tickets…
Local pantomime calendar 2024
Updates as December arrives
4th–31st Dec Jack and the Beanstalk (pro production) Hall for Cornwall, Truro
4th–7th Dec Aladdin (Hopeful Monsters: Wadebridge Theatre Co) Wadebridge Town Hall
7th Dec The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy St Endellion Hall
am & mat Christmasses! (Squashbox Theatre)
13th–15th Dec The Night Before Christmas (St Teath Drama Club) St Teath Church Hall
21st Dec A Fifties Christmas (Bodmin Musical Theatre) Shire Suite, Bodmin
mat & eve song and dance show
28th–30th Dec Beauty and the Beast (Drekkly Theatre Co) Port Isaac Village Hall
& 2nd Jan
