Panto is one of my fondest childhood memories of this time of year – it will be back stronger than ever

A whole room coming together in an annual explosion of mirth is something I won’t forget, writes Katy Brand

Showstopper: Covid has hit theatres hard (PA)

Going to the pantomime was a Christmas ritual for my family throughout my childhood. We would all go together, in a group of intimidating size, usually on Boxing Day.

It was parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, in a block booking under the name of “Brand”. In my memory it was a warm and exciting thrill, the perfect end to the celebrations.

In those days it often was part of the show for one of the players to come out and acknowledge the large family groups, reading out the names, encouraging cheers. We Brands came prepared, mostly at the instigation of my grandfather, with maracas, football rattles, whistles, and on one memorable occasion, three-foot-wide foam cowboy hats, crushed in anticipation under our seats.

When Buttons said “welcome to the Brands” we all leapt up, rattling, waving, whistling, with our hats on. He looked out at us, shielding his eyes from the glare of the spotlight to get a better view. He grinned and said, “yeah I’ve seen you lot on telly”. Beat. “Interference.”

The crowd roared with laughter as he rolled his eyes theatrically. We only made more noise. It felt like the whole room came together in an explosion of mirth. I think that may have been the moment I thought, “yeah, this is what it’s all about”, and an ambition was born.

We may be without panto in many areas this year thanks to coronavirus, but it won’t die. It’s too smart, too joyful, too agile and too responsive to ever fall away. It will be back in 2021, bigger, better, camper, wittier and as joyous as ever it was.