ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
PANTO SEASON IS UPON US !
ON NO IT ISN ’ T … OH YES IT IS ! A VISIT TO THE PANTOMIME IS AS SYNONYMOUS WITH CHRISTMAS AS DECORATING THE TREE OR SHARING A FESTIVE FEAST WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS . LUCKILY FOR US , THERE ARE SHOW-STOPPING NUMBER OF THEATRES THROUGHOUT KENT THAT EVERY YEAR GO ALL-OUT WITH THEIR PANTOMIME OFFERING – YOUR ONLY DILEMMA IS WHICH ONE ( OR TWO , MAYBE THREE ) YOU ’ LL CHOOSE TO KICK OFF YOUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS .
‘ He ’ s behind you ’ is undoubtedly one of the most famous calls in the whole of theatreland and heralds the start of one of the UK ’ s oldest theatrical traditions – the pantomime ! Although it first arrived on British stages in the 1600s , it was the Victorians who ramped up the fun and started to make panto into what we know and love today . In those days , it was an outlet for escapism ; somewhere that people could go to hear saucy jokes and watch risqué scenes without shame or embarrassment . It was safe and permitted , but – a lot like today – lingered right on the edge of decency , so it ’ s no surprise they loved it then as much as we all love it now .
These days there ’ s a much more family orientated feel to most pantos and the annual theatre trip has become something your kids will remember for years to come . The first experience of theatre for so many little ones , pantomime is as immersive , funny and exciting as it gets – it ’ s something a lot of us have grown up with , and let ’ s face it , Christmas without a raucous singalong panto just isn ’ t Christmas at all .
A seasonal trip to the pantomime is as much something to look forward to as it is something to treasure for years to come ; it ’ s a magical experience that children won ’ t forget . Pantomime season 2022 is raring to go , so read ahead and discover which sparkly and delightfully silly shows Kent has for you this year – all you have to do is choose !
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