Is Pantomime for Adults or Children?

Last weekend we took our children with a group of friends to the pantomime to see Cinderella. We had a lovely time and everyone enjoyed it. It’s been a long time since I went to the pantomime, but I never noticed until now just how much it was actually very adult focussed.

I always thought pantomime was for children, with a bit of adult humour thrown in. However, this had large parts of adult humour focussed around the celebrity (chef) who was acting, all of which went totally over the children’s head.

I have been to an adult pantomime before, which most definitely was for adults viewing only, it was hilarious and I’d definitely go again.

Normal pantos though, are they for children or adults? I am confused. My children loved watching Cinderella, but there seemed to be less of the children focussed entertainment and more grown up speeches/jokes.

A lot of the time this wasn’t a problem as the children were captivated by the scenery etc, however, there were times when not much was happening visually and they didn’t understand the jokes, so got a bit fidgety.

The dual entertainment of adult humour alongside a children’s storyline is one of the things that makes pantomime so great and fun for everyone. However, when it becomes a little unbalanced who are we there for, us or the kids?

Are pantomimes changing or have they always been like this and I have just been unaware of it not having taken children before?

Don’t get me wrong, we did have a lovely day and Pinky made me smile when she said “I loved Cinderella and the flying horse, but I didn’t like the clowns”. By that she meant she didn’t like the ugly sisters!

I would still like to take my children to the pantomime again next year, I just wondered what other people’s experiences and thoughts were?

---