Well, it’s panto season – oh yes it is – and naturally Denise, Tom and I were destined to have our own en route to see Maureen tread the boards.
She’s in St Helens, in Merseyside, starring as the wicked queen in Snow White and invited us up to watch on Monday night. We nearly missed the 6pm start thanks to, ahem, the sat nav. The hour-long trip from Blackpool turned into more than two as we left Mo and the dwarves – and any thought of dinner – “behind us!”
We’d have been quicker in a pantomime horse. But we made it nonetheless, and of course it was fabulous. Maureen is quite possibly the most beautiful wicked queen in the history of wicked queens. I once played the same part in the same show in the same theatre. Would I still be up there if I wasn’t ill? I’m not sure I would.
I used to love doing panto when Brian came with me, but I rather like having Christmas off these days. On Christmas Eve alone, Maureen’s got three shows!
The number of pantos I’ve been in and watched over the years doesn’t bear thinking about, but when you catch kids watching, it’s like seeing it all afresh again.
I was glued to one girl, aged three or four, who was transfixed. She reminded me how magical it is. For most kids, a pantomime will be their first experience of theatre. She danced and had a ball.
All the anticipation makes this my favourite time of the year. And I’ve been shopping with my friend Sue. She’s been great at taking me out in my wheelchair, although she no doubt needed a mulled wine after the last trip when she turned me round in one narrow aisle and we took out half of womenswear.
I’ve also got a Christmas jumper day with the girls, because, well, why not? Mine has a gin goblet in a Santa hat on the front. Because nothing says Christmas like a G&T in a hat.
I can barely believe I’ve made it – but here I am, and I’m so grateful. Thank you so much for reading my highs and lows this year. I’ll make a Christmas wish for many more.
I’ll be raising my goblet to you and your families. Merry Christmas!
English (US) ·