Fans WALK OUT of Catherine Tate’s ‘smutfest’ panto with ‘so little story, talent and innuendo’ after forking out up to £220 for tickets
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Fans are walking out on Catherine Tate’s panto after paying up to £220 for tickets, labeling the show an ‘obscenity’.
The festival adaptation of Sleeping Beauty stars Tate, Julian Clary and Coronation Street actor Nigel Havers in the fastest-selling panto in the history of London’s Palladium Theatre.
Considering show times are 2.30pm and 7.30pm, patrons were expecting a family-friendly event.
However, the production was widely criticized by theatergoers who were disappointed by ‘too little story, flair and insinuation’, while many were offended by the crude jokes.
An update on the theatre’s website now warns parents planning to bring their children along: ‘Parental discretion is advised due to implication.’
The lucrative panto, which featured Tate as Carabosse, apparently received ‘no standing ovation’ and some visitors vowed never to go again.
Short-changed fans took to travel site TripAdvisor to voice their criticism of the performance, which marked the tenth anniversary of the theatre’s annual seasonal shows.
One wrote: ‘Julian Clary usually sends us into fits of laughter, but even he seemed like a shadow of his crazy panto persona. I felt like most of the players realized that the material was lacking this year.
Fans walk out of Catherine Tate’s pictured panto after paying up to £220 for tickets, labeling show ‘obscene’
Stars of Sleeping Beauty are pictured in the Tate’s festival adaptation, the fastest-selling panto in the history of London’s Palladium Theater in 2023.
‘The reliably funny skits felt tired, many jokes lacked the genius wit of old, and the familiar, easy flow was missing. ‘With the exception of Catherine Tate’s well-received ‘Nan’ sketch, the audience was more subdued than I have ever witnessed.’
Another added: ‘This year has been such a disappointment. It’s just boring, the lack of plot and repetitive jokes are wearing thin.
‘Catherine Tate was so boring. ‘I’m not sure I’ll bother next year, which is a shame because it’s been a tradition for us for the last 9 years.’
A third theatergoer said: ‘I couldn’t bring myself to applaud. It’s a show for adults, without kids in mind. A cruel, lazy tirade of insinuations.
‘I was ashamed for taking my little children.’
Another wrote: ‘I went out and was so disappointed as it wasn’t cheap to go. He had no story. And the guy who kept singing was a nightmare.
‘Catherine Tate was terrible.’
And one outraged fan added: ‘Great ‘Panto’ again this year, or should I say poor variety show. Having seen a few of these over the last 10 years, we are really starting to see that the more £££ they make, the worse it gets.
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The cheapest tickets for Sleeping Beauty at the Palladium, pictured, are on sale for £35, with some costing £220
‘It’s a shame so much £££ wasted on so little story, talent and insinuation. There’s nothing clever about it anymore and the joke of “it doesn’t matter because the audience will be drunk” and “there’s no story” is just boring and insulting to the thousands of people who save up all year to attend.
‘This week the audience’s reaction was clearly muted and there was no standing ovation at the end.’
Not everyone was disappointed; Some of the fan visitors were appreciating their expensive day out.
One of them said: ‘I went to see the Sleeping Beauty panto, it’s absolutely brilliant. Beautiful theater and staff were great.’
Another added: ‘Panto fun with stunning views. ‘This is a great place, the view is beautiful even in the cheap seats, the bars are expensive but the weather and staff are helpful.’
The cheapest tickets for Sleeping Beauty are priced at £35, with some costing £220.
The show will run throughout December and end on January 11.
The Daily Mail has approached the Tate and London Palladium for comment.
