Start the new year with a giant laugh!

My New Year's Resolution is to have lots of 'new' experiences, to make 2017 a year to remember. And I kicked off my resolution early by going to see a pantomime - something I don't remember ever doing before. Lots of my friends had recommended the Theatre Royal Windsor one for being the best each year. So, we decided to take the girls to see Jack and the Beanstalk. Honestly? I was a bit dubious. I wasn't sure I'd like it... or the girls. Would they 'get it'? Would I find it funny? But wow, were we in for a big surprise. From the minute former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner sprung onto the stage as the fairy, waving her magic wand over the audience, we were entranced. The set was beautiful and the story of Jack and the Beanstalk was easy to follow, with a great script and a few – absolutely hilarious – additional plotlines thrown in. I don't think I stopped smiling from beginning to end. There were all the traditional 'He's behind you!' jokes as I expected, and we all enjoyed joining in. Everyone in the sudience were up out of their seats, loving taking part. We thought the baddie, Flesh Creep (Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner) was brilliant. He was truly terrifying to my four-year-old as the Giant’s Henchman (voiced by Brian Blessed). As the show went on, I was thinking we wouldn't actually get to see the giant – but my expectations were surpassed and an enormous scary giant came out onto the stage! Fantastic effects. The girls were mesmerised. My youngest also fell in love with Daisy the Cow. Aww. Timmy Mallett was The King, with, of course, lots of puns about his tool. And Luke Harley as Jack and Anna Campkin as Princess Jill were easy on the eye, and we loved their solos. They had us all singing along. But best of all, were Kevin Cruise as Simple Simon and regular panto Dame Steven Blakeley as Dame Trott. Their unforgettable version of the 12 days of Christmas is still being sung in our house. It had everything - water pistols, toilet rolls, props flying about, audience participation, the whole works. And the best news? It's on for one more week, so if you're looking for some last-minute holiday entertainment, to take away any looming thoughts about returning to work, and to give you your first real laugh of the new year – and perhaps like me a new experience – go and see it. Did we enjoy it? Oh yes we did! theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk