My First Panto Show at the Theatre Royal in Bath

My First Panto Show at the Theatre Royal in Bath

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A couple of months ago I started seeing ads for pantomime (also known as panto) shows here in Dublin. From the posters, I gathered they were family-based shows that happened around the holidays. However, since I got a seasonal job working at a department store for Christmas, I was too busy to see a panto show here in Dublin.

After Christmas, I went to Bath, England for a few days. On a walking tour, our guide told us about the Theatre Royal, which is a beautiful and historic Georgian theatre in the city. The next morning I stopped by the box office to see if they had a ticket for that evening’s performance of Aladdin . They did. Little did I know that I’d be seeing my first panto show.

Outside the Theatre Royal in Bath, UK. Photo my own.

What is Panto?

Pantomime or panto shows are family shows that are popular around the holidays (December-January) in the UK and Ireland. They originated as entr’actes (performances that were done between the acts of an Opera). Eventually, they became their own show.

Panto shows today are very much family oriented. Stories are often a retelling of famous fairy tales. There’s usually musical numbers, slapstick comedy, mild sexual innuendo jokes for the adults to get, in-jokes, and audience participation. However to really understand a panto show you have to see one for yourself.

My Panto Experience

As I mentioned before, I didn’t know that this production of Aladdin was a panto show. I didn’t know what to expect before seeing this show, other than thinking it’d be a family show (from the posters and all the families I saw in attendance). When the villain Abanazar (played by Bill Ward) came on stage (before I knew he was a villain), everyone started booing. Then Abanazar said to the audience, “Oh do shut up” (very British).

The hero Aladdin (Mark Rhodes) and the villain Abanazar (Bill Ward). Photo credit goes to Anna Barclay.

Immediately, I got the sense that panto shows were very interactive. The only show I can think of that is interactive in a similar way is the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but of course, that show is not for kids. Panto shows are.

Seeing a Panto Show

This version of Aladdin is very different than other versions that you may be familiar with. The premise of a poor boy named Aladdin (Mark Rhodes) who falls in love with a princess named Jasmine (Gemma Naylor) is similar, but the rest is entirely different. There are various characters including Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee (Jon Monie) and his mother the Widow Twankey (Nick Wilton) who runs a laundrette. At one point they sing a song called “In The Laundry” (to the tune of “In The Navy” by The Village People). Actually, I was also very excited when they did a version of “You and Me (But Mostly Me)” from The Book of Mormon because I’m a musical nerd.

Wishee Washee and the Ensemble in a dance number. Photo credit goes to Anna Barclay.

Other characters include police constable PC Pong (Tom Whalley) who provided a lot of physical comedy routines (in an Abbott and Costello way) with the Wishee Washee character. The Emperor and Jasmine’s father (Glyn Dilley) and Abanazar’s Slave of the Ring (Loula Geater), the Genie (Michael McGinn) and the ensemble (Jack Osmond, Molly Griffin, Ellie Irish, Sophie Smith and Lily Edwards). There were also some kids from the Dorothy Coleborn School of Dance in Bath who did a great job performing too.

My Thoughts

Aladdin is a super serious show only meant for intellectuals who wear smoking jackets and sip brandy. Just kidding. The show is silly and fun and interactive in a good way (where you can participate, but you won’t get pulled on stage…unless maybe you’re under 10). The sets and costumes for the show were fantastic, and the performances were excellent. It is definitely aimed at families, but everyone (adults included) were having a great time. In fact, kids (or you know their parents) could buy these light-up toys during the show. It kind of reminded me of when I was 5 and saw the Ice Capades (except there is no ice skating at this show).

The cast of Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Bath. Photo credit goes to Anna Barclay.

Can You Go to a Panto Show Without Kids

I went to Aladdin by myself. I sat in the stall section, which had a blocked view (I was warned of this beforehand). However, I was the only one sitting in this section, so I decided to move down a row to see a bit better. I was probably the only person at this show by myself, but I didn’t feel awkward. I love the theatre, so I’m always happy to see a show. My only regret is I wish I had picked up a program that tells you about the interactive parts of the show. Most of it I caught onto pretty quickly.

Should You See a Panto Show?

If you’re in the UK or Ireland or anywhere that might be playing a panto show during the holidays, I say yes. It’s silly and ridiculous, but a lot of fun. I enjoyed seeing my first panto, and I can tell it won’t be my last.


Things To Know
The Theatre Royal is located on Saw Close in Bath. Map here. It’s a short walk from the Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. For more information on tickets and upcoming productions, please visit the Theatre Royal Bath website.
While in Bath I stayed in a 6-bed female dorm at the YHA Bath Hostel. While the location was a bit outside the centre of Bath (and involved walking up Bathwick Hill), the hostel was clean and well taken care of. I paid for my own stay here. If you are not on a budget, there are great hotels you can book in Bath here.
This post is not sponsored, endorsed, or reviewed in any part by the Theatre Royal Bath, or the UK Production of Aladdin (including any crew and cast). I paid for my own ticket (to this show. All opinions in this post are my own.


Have you been to a Panto show before?

9 thoughts on “My First Panto Show at the Theatre Royal in Bath”

  1. I didn’t realise that panto was a pure British thing. Just assumed they had it elsewhere but it is part of the Christmas fabric.

  2. Loved reading this – as a Brit I’ve grown up with panto and it’s very much a beloved category of theatre here – so it’s fascinating to read an outsider’s reaction to it, and description of it! Glad you enjoyed your first Panto and hope you will see many more!

  3. Great post. Brought back a flood of memories when I lived in England and we visited bath frequently. Its such a charming place. 🙂

  4. I guess I don’t know the difference between mime and pantomime because I was thinking it would be silent. Interactive sounds fun though and would keep kids engaged in the performance.

  5. This seriously sounds like a very cool experience. I can imagine it must have been hilarious. I travel solo mostly and seek out this type of entertainment for my evenings, sounds lovely!

  6. I love Panto! I am British and have grown up with Panto so that’s probably why, but its such a great night out. And it’s definitely not just for kids!

  7. I am not sure that I understood the “panto” concept well. But only for seeing this historical Georgian theatre inside I think it would be worth to try!

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