Cambridge International Examinations Panto

"Belles, Baubles and Ghosts of Pantos Past"

Centre at St Paul's

Thursday 21 December at 6 p.m.

 The amazing, phantasmagorical, Cambridge International Examinations Grand Christmas Panto took over the church and its environs on the evening of the Thursday before Christmas. Truly, it was a wonder to behold. And verily the merriment was as great as was consumption after the performance of a wide selection of beverages , some mulled others refrigerated, supplied by Messrs Threshers.

 Countdown to the big night: costumes and make-up in the Green Room. The fun begins

The panto was entitled "Belles, Baubles and Ghosts of Pantos Past" and featured St Trinians School, a group of dastardly (albeit incompetent robbers) led by a moustachioed Robber Baron, a sheik and his daughter and a  camel so lifelike that a child in the audience was overheard asking its parent if the beast was real.

In the background, the girls of St Trinians. Centre in the understated suit, Flash Harry. Right the extremely lifelike camel.

Several women's parts were played by men in keeping with the great British panto tradition. Audience participation was encouraged. The auditorium resounded to cries of "Oh not there isn't", "Oh yes there is". And there was and there wasn't. The pantomime did exactly what it says on the tin. The camel was inspired, the horse race was a triumph of ingenuity and there was a happy ending. These photographs convey something of the mayhem