Fortunately, Sheffield is home to two of England's best regional theatres. They sit next to each other in Tudor Square. Frequently, months can go by without me visiting either The Crucible or The Lyceum but this week I have visited both.
On Wednesday night, Shirley had great seats for the evening performance of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" in The Crucible. It was slick and endearing in all regards - a great combination of singing, dancing and spoken dialogue without a single error that I could detect. There was also plenty of skilful stagecraft to admire. It's wonderful when a gang of humans can work together to produce really magical theatre. And of course most of Irving Berlin's songs are familiar even when you can't pin down exactly when you first heard them.
"White Christmas" at The Crucible & below - poster for "Beauty and The Beast"
Then today Shirley I attended The Lyceum with Frances, Phoebe and Baby Margot for a matinee performance of the annual pantomime which this year is "Beauty and the Beast". We were up on the balcony, high above the stage.
Phoebe clung to me for security for she is not fond of loud noises but she was never visibly upset and seemed to enjoy the entire show - as far as a small girl can do just before her third birthday.
I hadn't seen a pantomime in years. Throughout the country, pantos are very popular at this time of year. It is a tradition that goes right back to the eighteenth century. They provide light-hearted family entertainment built around simple and predictable plots but laced with popular songs, corny jokes and topical references. There's never anything very serious about a panto and maybe that's why ordinary families are quite fond of them. Often major parts are taken by pretty well-known celebrities.
Afterwards we went back to Frances and Stewart's house for a curry and to be around with the children while they packed stuff up ready for a long drive down to London tomorrow morning. They won't be returning to Sheffield until Christmas Day.
What a party animal you've become as the year closes. I loved panto when I was young and I expect I still would.
ReplyDeleteYou could even be on the stage... "He's behind yer!"
DeleteIt really makes a show much better if you have kids with you and can see it through their eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe show was just about to start when two hundred 11/12 year old schoolkids filled all the seats behind us. They were very well-behaved.
DeleteSounds like 2 fun outings, Neil.
ReplyDeleteI'm a grandma again! My middle son's wife, Ningjing, gave birth to my 7th grandchild, Adam Liam DeBerge born today! He's a real cutie but I don't know how to add a photo to the comments so I can't show you. You will have to take my word for it! :)
Okay I believe you Ellen! A big welcome to Adam Liam DeBerge! Congratulations to you on becoming a grandmother for the seventh time! Marvellous news.
DeleteOh my goodness, Neil, I've realized that when Adam turns my age, it will be 2096!! I wonder if he will ever meet up with your grands?!
DeleteOh I miss a good panto. Look behind you! Oh no he didn't. Oh yes he did. And the leading man(boy) was always played by a woman and noone found it odd.
ReplyDeleteThe leading "dame" was a man. He/she must have had a dozen costume changes.
DeleteTwo theatre visits in one week! You are certainly living the high life as well as beginning a life-time tradition of Phoebe and Margot seeing a pantomime each year.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to go every year myself but yesterday it was nice to be reminded of what pantomime involves.
DeleteA good festive mix of entertainment you had this week. I have been to more concerts this month than I have been all year (not counting the various events where the village band played - these are not really concerts).
ReplyDeleteWho were the celebrities in Beauty and the Beast?
I hope Frances and Stewart have a safe drive. The weather is awful here, hurricane Zoltan is causing disruptions and difficulties in many parts of Germany, but I am not sure how much of it is felt on the British Isles.
We have had some wild windy weather this week and three or four slates have come off our NEW roof! It's pretty depressing. The fellow who played Danton was Duncan James - a member of a big boy band called Blue. Jennie Dale from a BBC children's channel played the fairy - so not really big names as at some pantos.
DeleteI think pantomimes are part of a robust tradition in which the participation of the audience is welcome. I love how the theatres are still popular round here. There gaudy grace still kept.
ReplyDeleteI missed out on the 'horse award' suggestions. I would recommend Thelwell's fat little ponies I am sure Phoebe would delight in them.
"Robust tradition" - I like that description.
DeleteI am not a fan of pantomimes.....never went as a child ( too expensive I expect) and the one I took my then 5 yr old son to was awful! We did once go to an " adult" pantomime....that was quite fun!!
ReplyDeleteIs an adult panto one where the entire cast is naked?
DeleteA panto would be quite mesmerising for a two year old I would think. I hope she enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteShe has an excellent attention span and happily absorbed it all.
Delete"It's behind you!"
ReplyDeleteOh Christ! It's Jacob Rees-Mogg!
DeleteBut you could do your own panto. Shirley could be Beauty, Phoebe could be Little Red Riding Hood, and you could be the Beast. Oh yes you could. "Hello children. I'm playing the Beast. Oh! I am a Beast."
ReplyDeleteIf we were doing "Aladdin" you would make the perfect Widow Twanky.
DeleteWow. You really are getting into the Christmas spirit. Have a good one, YP.
ReplyDeleteChristmas spirit? I haven't drunk a drop ADDY - apart from a small Bailey's that I had yesterday evening.
DeleteI live in a very rural area, far from any such amenities and for the most part, love that lifestyle. But I do miss the cultural aspect of being close to top notch theater performances.
ReplyDeleteThere are pros and cons to everything. I have often thought how great it might be to live in a more peaceful, rural location but I am sure that we would miss many of the urban advantages that we enjoy today and perhaps sometimes take for granted.
DeleteAt first i thought The Crucible was the play you were seeing!
ReplyDeleteStill, sounds like perfects Christmas and kiddie fare for the holidays!
It is wonderful to have such great venues close by.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! I'm glad that Ms. Phoebe got to see her first stage production.
ReplyDeleteWe have nothing like pantos here as far as I know. I first heard of them on John Gray's blog and had to look them up. I learn so much from you guys across the pond.
I’ve had some of my best times in both of those theatres
ReplyDeleteI miss being there on tap xxx