Not really, but it did take some convincing on my part to get Mick to attend a performance of the Christmas Pantomime at New Theatre in Cardiff.

One of the first things our hosts recommended before they left on their cruise, was for us to attend the local pantomime while we were here. They normally go every year, but sadly for them, they had run out of time to see this year’s show.

You might be surprised to know that Mick actually starred in an amateur pantomime quite a few years back in Dubbo, New South Wales. He played Geppetto in the pantomime Pinocchio. There were quite a few songs in the script that Mick had to learn as part of his performance – which he duly did. But funnily enough, after the first rehearsal where the director heard Mick sing his lines / songs for the first time, the number of songs he was to sing was quickly revised. Because a pantomime must feature singing, Geppetto ended up singing ………

……one song.

I think if the director could have removed all the singing for Mick’s character she would have. (I must point out that in all the years I have known Mick, I have not known him to sing, with the exception of Rugby Songs, but not ‘sing’ sing.)

When we arrived at New Theatre Mick and I both wondered when it was ‘new’.

Mick is standing near the middle doorway. We arrived early, hence the lack of crowd, to collect the tickets I had ordered online. Being over 60 years old meant we were able to purchase the tickets for half price, saving us £38.

Inside the theatre the ‘stalls’ reminded me of scenes from The Muppet Show – even the fellow on the left looked a bit like one of the characters from that show.

Cinderella starred one character I had heard of before – Gok Wan – a very openly ‘camp’ guy I’d seen on a television program a few years ago where he advised people on dress style. He seemed like a fun character and the reviews I’d read about the performances were all extremely positive, so I was quickly sold. We decided it would be better to attend a matinee because we rely on using public transport, and we did not want to leave Mitzi, the dog we are caring for, on her own for too long.

Two of the main characters, those playing the part of the Wicked Step Sisters, where men I had not heard of before, a comedian and a female impersonator.

Mick was not thrilled about going.

He actually suggested he could find a pub nearby to the theatre and use his £19 there while I went to the show on my own. But unfortunately for him, he suggested that AFTER I had bought him a ticket.

However, during the show, I noticed he was enjoying himself, even laughing at some of the silly gags.

Me on the other hand, I was totally enthralled by the show – the Wicked Step Sisters in particular were excellent. They would have had at least 20 full costume changes including shoes and enormous wigs. The audience was always surprised when they walked back on stage, not only because of their gorgeous costumes, but because it appeared they had only had seconds in which to change.

No expense had been spared for this show – there were even two Shetland Ponies wearing headdresses and pulling a coach for Cinderella to go to the ball.

And, New Theatre had these little binoculars attached to every second or third seat that could be hired for £1. We’d not seen that before.

Most of the audience at our matinee were quite elderly. While pantomimes target children, school had resumed here in Wales and the few children who were in attendance were quite young.

Actually, Mick and I felt quite young, as we quickly (but safely and respectfully) overtook all the elderly people exiting the theatre.

We did have to get back to Mitzi after all!