Pantomime 2024 (Cinderella)

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Off to Milton Keynes Theatre to see their Panto performance – Cinderella!

Sadly, Carol was not feeling 100% and couldn’t join us. Janet took on taxi duties, picked us up just before 4.30 and we were soon on our way in the cold and wet weather heading for MK `and the 6pm performance.

They’re always great productions here at the MK Theatre, and this is our third consecutive year, having enjoyed Snow White in 2023 and Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022. Afterwards, we’d booked a new year celebratory Chinese meal at nearby Taipan and then we plan to see the new year in at J & J’s. 🍾🥂🎉

The roads were pretty empty `and after a hassle-free (but damp) journey, just as we arrived, the weather deteriorated further and it began chucking it down as we took the short (and very wet and ‘hoods-and-brollies-essential’!) walk to our destination. Ticket-checking took no time at all, and we were soon in the warm and dry. Judging by the sheer numbers, it was certainly well-supported, with a packed house tonight!

After a quick coffee, we took our seats together with the rest of the population of Bucks! 🙂

We had a great view and as things were to turn out, we were glad we weren’t too close to the stage as ‘audience participation’ was all part of tonight’s performance! “Oh, yes it was!” 😉

6pm – curtain up! 👍👍👍👍

Brian Conley (BC) has lost none of his magic and he really carried the show. The rest of the cast, we’d not heard of, but it was good that BC’s daughter was part of it all, playing ‘Fairy 312’. As you might expect (being a Panto) there were quite a few laugh-out-loud moments, and you can’t beat a bit of ‘toilet humour’ (especially if it involves an actual toilet!).

In truth, in spite of the many laughs, it wasn’t the funniest panto we’ve seen here. Without the ymany ears of acting, performing and general panto craft that BC brought to the production, it would have all felt a bit flat – it really needed a few more known faces to act as a foil for ‘Rocky’. Ironically, the funniest part for us was right at the end when BC invited a family from the audience on to the stage. Whether they were a plant or not, we don’t know, but one of the children was so hyper-active, it forced the star to ad-lib like I’d never seen before, just to simply keep control of proceedings. He was masterful, and the funniest thing I’d seen on stage in ages! 🤣😂🤣😂

Next stop? Something to eat…

Janet had booked us a table at nearby Taipan. It was perfect timing as we sat down at our 8.40 booking with a minute to spare! It was a great atmosphere and although quite busy when we arrived, it quietened down a lot during our meal.

Choosing what to eat was easy and we opted for the Shanghai Set Menu with extra Chicken Noodles. Service was as good as ever and their speed of service has lost none of its velocity. The food was super-yummy and by the time we left, just after 10, we were one of the last.

Heading home, the roads were again, pretty much deserted, and we arrived back at J&J’s just after 11 where we caught up with the last 20 minutes of Graham Norton on BBC1. We’re all fans of Rick Astley and he was performing a special set afterwards, either side of the fireworks. It was a cracking good show and I think he would have gained a few more fans tonight based on this one-off.

We saw in the new year and exchanged some small New Year gifts. A Faraday Pouch from Jo & Janet and book about Latin from Ann.

These days, being more ex-Party Animals, after the short (and very cold) walk ‘up the hill’ we got to bed around 1am!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉🎉