In Dec 2016, we recruited a group of enthusiastic young people to act as ambassadors to promote the Hippodrome to other people aged 18-30.

One of their first tasks, after deciding on a new name for themselves, is to promote Dick Whittington to their friends and colleagues.

They were invited to the press night of the panto on Wed 21 Dec and here two of our ambassadors tell us what they thought!

My first panto, but definitely not my last! British panto seen through an East European lens.

By Andreea Lupu

Dick Whittington had a glamorous opening on a cold December night. Both my excitement and suspense for my first British pantomime were built up by the pre-event press launch which invited its guests to enter via a red carpet and directed them towards a panto-like setting filled with some iconic props from the most popular recent shows. This was my warm-up for what will be a great year as part of the ambassador team of Birmingham Hippodrome and a perfect occasion to be introduced to the atmosphere of the theatre.

So, my first panto! Expectations? Well, I could tell from the brightly-coloured posters and the teaser trailers that pantomime in England is different from the ones in the rest of Europe. I was soon to discover that it was the complete opposite. No austere setting, no silence, no suggested emotion and ideas, but an explosion of colour, light and sound, just like a Christmas feast (for the senses).

As a distant branch of Commedia dell’arte and derived from British comic theatre (Harlequinade), panto has become a tradition in the celebration of Christmas, amusing both adults and children. Its key characters, like the ghosts and the Dame played by a man can easily seem a bit strange for a first-time spectator, especially a foreign one. However, this has a historical explanation and it adds to the general humour of this complex show incorporating the classic conflict between good and evil forces, local jokes, dance, pop songs, buffoonery, stunts and some slapstick. This popular form of theatre also breaks the convention of the fourth wall, inviting its audience to join the characters in the storyline by singing and clapping.

Dick Whittington has it all and even more. Although pantomime has a long tradition in British culture, this version of Dick Whittington is definitely a 2017 one, bringing on stage sophisticated visual effects, such as 3D screenings and pyrotechnics, as well as Brummie and Brexit jokes.

This first-time experience was really surprising and I can confirm that becoming a true Brit definitely depends on attending at least one panto show. Dick Whittington is the perfect choice for that. It is also great for starting the New Year with a smile on your face (actually, with a good laugh!)

My 24th panto at the Hippodrome!

By Holly Beaumont-Wilkes

I love panto. Let me quantify that for you: I’ve been coming to see the panto at Birmingham Hippodrome every year for the past 24 years (except of course that one year it was closed for refurbishment).

But why do I like pantos so much? It’s the fact that pantomimes are filled with stories of underdogs defeating the forces of evil and making their dreams come true. They are hopeful, uplifting, and opulent and they transport you into a magical world filled with glitter and dancing.

After seeing pantos put on at other establishments I can safely say that they rarely come close to the spectacle that is Birmingham Hippodrome. The sets, the costumes and the special effects are second to none which is why I was excited to see this year’s production of Dick Whittington.

John Barrowman is a brilliant showman, but he’s also a bit silly which is what makes him the perfect leading man for panto. One of my favourite moments was his outstanding duet with Jodie Prenger, and it was amazing to see two West End veterans wowing the audience with their flawless performance.

I lost count of the number of times I cried with laughter during Matt Slack’s scenes and I can’t wait to see him again next year in Cinderella. In fact, he proved so popular with the Brummies that he got one of the biggest cheers of the night as he arrived on stage for his first scene.

And then there’s Andrew Ryan, the brilliant pantomime dame. In fact, my FAVOURITE pantomime dame (and I’ve seen a lot of them!). Andrew Ryan knows panto inside out and it definitely shows. The costumes, the comic timing, the performance are pure perfection.

And my absolute favourite scene of the pantomime I hear you ask? Well, that would be the opening number of Act 2. Possibly the campest, most funny scene I have witnessed at the Hippodrome. I won’t give away too much, but I will say this: it’s a must see!