Beneath the slapstick humour, venues remain anxious over fresh restrictions and lower ticket sales
There were cheers and boos, oohs and aahs in the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury this week at the first read-through of this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
Opening in a fortnight for a six-week run, and starring the Strictly Come Dancing winner Joanne Clifton, boyband singer Duncan James and a real dog, the script is packed with corny gags and local jokes that are the panto hallmark.
