Swansea Grand panto Cinderella criticised for being 'lewd'
IT is family fun loved by thousands of Swansea mums, dads, grans and children every Christmas, but this year's panto has been criticised for being "too adult".
Cinderella was a landmark show for Swansea's Grand — the 100th pantomime to be performed at the city centre theatre.
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The annual festive shows are known for their double entendres which would mean nothing to innocent children, but would make their parents smile.
However, this year, some concerned adults have said Cinderella, which finished its run on Sunday, went a step too far.
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In a letter to the Evening Post one grandmother, Margaret Edwards, of Kittle, Swansea, said it was a "disappointment".
"The annual pantomime season at the Grand has now finished, having achieved a hundred years of putting on the annual pre and post- Christmas treat for many families and groups, including my own," she wrote.
"We have been coming annually since 1969 and this year was no exception. We were sixteen in our group with ages ranging from 2-plus to 86.
"What a disappointment; not, I hasten to add, on account of the stage settings, which were as lovely as ever, as were the dancers, the music and the general welcome from the staff.
"But (the characters of) Buttons and Cinderella were the exception to the rest of the cast, who were vulgar and frankly lewd in their combined acts.
"The worst offender was (the character of) Baron Hard-up, who would be better suited to an 'all adults show'.
"My daughters and daughter- in-law, all mums to young teenagers, were appalled too, so these are not just the ramblings of a 70-plus Grannie!"
A spokesman for Swansea Grand Theatre said the reviews for the panto had been positive.
He added: "More than 38,000 adults and children watched the panto over the festive season. We listen carefully to our customers' views and the vast majority of feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Panto is a show that always tries to appeal to every member of the family, and both the producers and the cast have many years experience in panto.
"The success of Cinderella means tickets for next year's panto are already selling well."
Comments
by wales2012
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 9:49PM
“some people have nothing better to do than complain.the panto this year was fabulous as is every year.a lot of hard work goes into it and as someone already said these people give up their time so that people can have some fun and escape from the day to day reality for an hour or so.panto is for all ages yes there is a bit of adult humour .young children certainly wouldnt understand so it wouldnt harm them in any way .any older children eg 13 14 or 15 yr olds hear a lot worse in their day to day lives .and one more thing i really cannot think what cinderella did that was so bad .absolutely brilliant cant wait to go next year .we have our tickets as they are certainly selling fast.so if the panto was so bad why are the tickets selling so fast????”
by ejay1983
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 6:35PM
“A friend told me about this article. And I must say im very saddened by it. At the end of the day it was just humour, to make us all laugh. We all live in a tough society and sad times for many. And I must say I was grateful for such fun and a smile. Also do you people never think by putting such bad reviews on the panto it undermines all the other peoples hard work which they certainly do. It was them missing Christmas with there loved one to give us and our families a good time, my little girls was one of all those hard workers and I can say im very proud of everyone of them. So just remember that when you put a bad review that someones hard work has just destroyed by you..”
by PortTennent
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 11:32PM
“I have never read such utter nonsense! I take my 3 children every single year, and have never had a problem, my youngest is 4, eldest 11. Most risqué jokes go over a child's head, and the adults, well, I think you need to lighten up a little. I think it's tremendously sad, when u have to complain about a panto, with all bad things going on in this world, a pantos risqué moments should be bottom of the pile. A BIG well done to all who starred this year. 99.9 % loved it!”
by mabl9
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 9:53PM
“Must be the politically correct nanny state lot. Pantomines have always been like this and long should they remain so. Get a life! Don't they remember the fifties!”
by susiecasper
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 7:09PM
“Agree with lancelot69. Completely inappropriate content and cost £90 for 2 adults and 2 children. Never again.”
by misships
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 6:47PM
“I have been going for the past five years i have to say this was dissapointing!!!! It seemed to focus on chico flauting and rude gestures within the show surely not suitable for younger viewers!
I found the story lacked magical pressence seemed very choppy with bits chucked in her and there with no real relevance. There were some funny moments although some were used last year so was not really as funny. My nearly 11 old son commented saying there was lots of adult jokes and did chico really need to show offf!!!!!! Shame it has had negative feedback as panto at the grand has always been on of the highlights of my families xmas and new year.”
by GorsseinonJoe
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 12:04PM
“Obviously comments for and against should mean a review for next year and a someone other than this years puppeteer.
Panto's are for kids, adults are the chaperons.”
by lancelot69
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 11:03AM
“Tbh it was the first and probably last panto i'd take my daughter to. A 3 year old watching that puppet bloke referring to hard on's and gave the puppets name willy was disgusting. You would have had to see it to appreciate how vulgar it was”
by Anon300
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 10:07AM
“For gods sakes!!! You have to cater for all ages. The comments made the children wouldn't get and i'm sure they've seen much worse on the TV. Its hardly offensive. I loved it and my niece and nephen (4 & 6) loved it and were none the wiser. "señoría Willy" lol”
by clydachkid
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 10:06AM
“It was very near the knuckle in parts. One particular character and his puppets were the worst. As for growing up !!!! CONSTANT Jokes regarding male organs do not make a Panto.
My other issue. Why is it now that this has been published ? Throughout the run lots of disgruntled people made comments about the vulgarity of the Panto but nothing was formally written. Now it has finished an article appears. Very poor from the post”