You might be mistaken in thinking that you are looking at a very ugly woman, when in fact it is Gandalf - in drag!Yes that's right - in the great tradition of English pantomime, Sir Ian McKellen is playing a female lead in the Old Vic's Christmas panto of Aladdin.
Thankfully, given the seriousness and quality of the Vic's usual productions, they didn't spray water and throw out sweets - being in the front row we might have found ourselves swamped. We did however get a nice view up Sir Ian's dress a time or two!
This being our first ever Christmas panto, we went for the posh version to begin with. Honestly how can anyone pass up the chance to see Gandalf/Magneto prancing (literally) around stage in a hideously garish house coat.
As with all pantos, children were present and the jokes and gags suited to both them and to the adults in the audience. There were the famous moments of (very loud) audience participation like 'Behind you!' and 'Oh no it isn't', along with enthusiastic booing and hissing for the ubiquitous villain. There were scenes and Acts that had no place in the original tale of Aladdin - but we are told that that is what panto is all about.
So next year we think we'll go and see a local panto and see what it is really all about, preferably not in the front row, given what we've heard about the water!
p.s. Emily - the mold is truly broken now - our second production without any cast from The Bill in it! I can only hope, that the Old Vic, not being a West End theatre, doesn't count.
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