It wasn’t exactly ‘Harry Potter’.

One seasonal tradition that continues today in this country is the Christmas ‘panto’, although, from what I gather, it has changed a bit from my young days and now seems to be largely a vehicle for promoting the careers of TV ’soap stars’, so called ‘celebs’, second rate pop singers and long forgotten actors who need to earn a few bob.

Now it seems that from ‘across the pond’, where I thought they had never heard of ‘panto’, come the likes of Henry Winkler (the Fonz), Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky … or was he Hutch ?) and the ex Mr Ava Gardner, little old Mickey Rooney (Mickey who ? … Umm, never mind), to ‘tread the boards’ in Pantomime.

When I was a kid the annual Christmas pantomime was a major event in my life, and even if my mum and dad had to drag me through a blizzard we always made it to the ..  Brixton Empress .. to see whatever production was being performed that year on the stage of that rather splendid ‘Art Deco’ theatre. 

It was all magic to me if a bit confusing, for in those days the heroes, such as Prince Charming or Dick Whittington were played by ‘principal boys’ who were GIRLS in tights ! … and … women’s parts, such as Mother Goose or The Ugly Sisters were played by ‘dames’ who were … yes, that’s right, MEN in dresses !

I loved the whole bewitching atmosphere of the theatre and although I was a bit scared of The Demon King I was entranced by the lights, the music and the gaudy scenery; but above all I was excited by the sight of the leggy young ladies of the chorus line as they high kicked their way across the stage … So I guess  …

…    I wasn’t really that ‘confused’ !