Wycombe Swan panto -review

Wycombe Swan- Cinderella

It's one of the best pantos I’ve ever seen...oh no it isn’t – oh yes it is, writes Kelly Young.

And believe me I’ve seen at least 29!

Since the age where I would sit in my seat for longer than 20 minutes my family has had the Christmas tradition of going to see a panto every Boxing Day. This year I snuck in early.

Starring Brian ‘It’s a puppet’ Conley as Buttons, this classic fairytale is retold in a magical and colourful way, complete with snow and real ponies, in which even the adults get belly laughs.

Most famous for his TV appearances, Conley hasn’t lost his ability to make people laugh with simple slap stick and innuendo comedy.

Special mention also has to go to Cinderella's fabulously evil sisters, Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins, largely regarded as the country’s best, having performed together for 25 years.

Getting this panto is a coup for the Wycombe Swan, which has had good pantos but this one is great and it’s all down to the casting and the slickness of the production.

It is so slick that even some of the ‘mistakes’ seem real to the untrained panto eye! I really have no criticism of this show – you and your kids will love it.

It all culminates in some lucky youngsters getting up on stage, chatting to Conley and singing some songs. That is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

Chris Tarrant stole my Roland Rat toy in the 80s when he came out into the panto audience and took it up on stage – I thought I’d never get it back. But I did, along with a goodie bag. Ah the magic of panto.