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.