Pantomime is a uniquely British tradition with a history stretching back over 100 years. It features on many peoples’ ‘to do’ list, and gives those with children an excuse to indulge in a bit of escapism and joviality, although unaccompanied adults have also occasionally been spotted in the audience at Panto productions!

Children’s favourite stories such as Aladdin, Puss in Boots, Cinderella and Peter Pan are perennial panto favourites. Plot lines are mercilessly slaughtered in pursuit of laughs, and in major productions which feature one or more celebrities their punch line is inevitably incorporated into the pun-filled script.

To add to the fun a ghastly selection of burly, masculine, cross-dressing ‘dames’ take to the stage alongside pretty young actresses in tights, who in turn are pretending to be men. With all of this served up with a soupcon of audience participation, a raucous and fun-filled evening is guaranteed once the curtains open and everyone gets into the spirit of the production.

Indeed, the audience is actively encouraged to regularly help out the heroes by alerting them to the presence of the panto villain. With frantic cries of “he’s behind you”, they collectively shout their warning to the hero whilst also hissing and booing the villain. Other dialogue between the audience and on-stage characters occurs when a conflict of opinions arises, such as when the Wicked Queen in Snow White insists that she is “the fairest of them all”. “Oh, no you’re not!” will be the inevitable response from the audience, and then a game of verbal ping pong will ensue, with the Queen insisting “oh, yes I am!” several times until the audience eventually wins.

Many popular characters from British TV take part in panto each including popular actor Christopher Biggins who had a 38-year continuous streak of starring in various panto productions until 2007, when he opted to appear in ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ in Australia instead. He eventually won that reality TV competition, and no doubt the 59-year-old will be returning to Panto next year as a Jungle King!

And it’s not just UK stars that are appearing in Pantomime; it has become so popular in recent years that even big names from Hollywood such as Henry Winkler and Mickey Rooney have agreed to appear in them. Indeed, their presence has encouraged many people to consider travelling much further than in the past to watch such big productions.

As a result London Theatre Breaks are no longer confined to offering the latest West End musicals, comedies and dramas, as more and more people add pantos to their must see list on a visit to the capital.