This year’s Pirates of the Pavilion is simply magical with breathtaking illusions, jaw dropping props and more traditional Panto cheese than a Dairylea factory!

We were lucky enough to see the very first performance and the Pavilion was buzzing with excited families all ready for the show.  You can buy some Pirate merchandise from the foyer which included a flashing pirate sword, pirate hat and of course the show programme.  I was briefly tempted to bring my son’s sword from last year but thought that was a little mean so after we bought some snacks and drinks I got him a shiny new sword for the show.  Sam is nearly 4 now and although he enjoyed it last year I knew this year the ants in his pants had settled a little and bless him he sat through the whole show with a smile (and ice cream) on his face.  Little Lucy is only 4 months now and she LOVED it.  With the opening scene her eyes were literally everywhere and I’m pleased it wasn’t so noisy.

The show starts on the Saucy Sally ship and the Captain, Crew and Max and Molly the Mice go on another fantastic adventure with each scene guaranteed to make you laugh and tap your toes.  The cast are individually brilliant but personally I thought Seadog Billy (Philip Green) stole the show with his hilarious jokes and impressions.  We all agreed that he doesn’t even need to open his mouth and you automatically laugh!  Buckaneer Becky also has a very good sense of humour and an amazing voice.  Then there’s Captain Filibuster who leads the crew and the very funny and sparkly Sting Ray who is the guardian of the seas.  The dancers are all great and we loved the children from the dance school who came out and provided us with more songs, dancing and cheeky little smiles.

One of the most spectacular parts of the show is when Billy rides on a motorcycle and it comes right out into the audience.  There is another scene which was Sam’s favourite part but I’m not going to tell you as it was a great surprise and really quite spectacular.  As you’d expect with any traditional Panto there’s plenty of audience participation, hilarious gags (suitable for kids and the grown up’s) and top to toe sparkly costumes.

Poor little Lucy found the excitement a little overwhelming and when we sat down for the second half she literally zonked out on my arms for an hour.  While she was asleep she missed flying balls, the crew finding the pirate treasure and plenty of sing songs.  I couldn’t even stand up for the audience selfie because I was scared to wake her.  Luckily she woke up with enough time to dance to the final tune with Sam and nanny.

When we came out of the show I had to feed Lucy and asked Sam if he enjoyed the show and what his favourite part was.  Other than the part I won’t mention he said his favourite person was ‘Silly Billy’ who made him laugh, and boy did he, I looked over several times when he was on his nanny’s lap and he was in utter stitches at Billy’s jokes and bumbling behaviour.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• There is a public car park located behind the pavilion.  

• You can purchase drinks and snacks from the foyer or head upstairs to the restaurant for a meal.

• There are baby change facilities in the disabled toilets on the ground floor.

• If you need to warm a baby bottle then the staff will happily pop it in a jug of hot water behind the bar for you.

• If you have a small child or baby then you’ll find booster seats and cushions as you go in the Theatre.  

• You can buy a flashing sword, programme and other pirate bits from the foyer.  

• Ice creams are sold in the interval.

• The staff and ushers are all incredibly friendly and helpful so just ask if you need anything.

• The show is now running every Monday and Tuesday at 2pm and 6pm up until the end of August.

If you would like to read more about the show or to book tickets, please visit the Weymouth Pavilion Website.