It just, well, delivers...
The Olivier Award nominated Potted Panto is back at Wilton’s Music Hall
– seven Panto’s (if you count Christmas Carol) in 80 minutes. It’s a tour-de-force, played (mainly) by 2 of its creators (Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner) and directed by the third (Richard Hurst).
The second act opener is a re-cap, with the first 4 pantos then recapped in 5 minutes, 2 minutes and then 30 seconds – with flashing use of hats and props – and it, intentionally (this is an educational (!) exercise after all – covers all the classic panto tropes – including up-to-date gags (Gregg Wallace gets a nod, but it was too soon for Syria).
Mainly a two hander there are two more (used to be ASMs in my day) to fill out on occasion. There’s slapstick, audience participation (and song), sight gags, puns and silly costumes.
Of our party I was the oldest – and I loved it – my grandson the youngest, at five, and he laughed himself off his chair – so it also did what good panto does – and delivers for all the family.
You probably won’t get a seat this season, but it’ll be back – well it has been since 2010 or so.