Sir Ian McKellen: He’s Got Legs and He Knows How to Use Them…(Sorry ZZ!)

Aline writes: Perhaps only in British pantomime would you get to see the greatest living Shakespearean actor hamming it up while cross-dressing in fabulous outfits like curlers and fur, as Wonder-Woman/Britannia, and as a Carol Channing look-alike. Yes, it’s Aladdin at the Old Vic theatre, a classic British pantomime. For those of you unfamiliar with pantos, they are a Christmas tradition, musical plays based on a fairy tale with cross-dressing roles and audience participation. When we saw Aladdin a few days ago at a matinee the audience was filled with children who knew exactly what to do. Hissing at the villain is encouraged, and by making as much noise as possible when anyone comes near the lamp, the audience helps guard the lamp from the evil magician (not that it works in the end of course.) It was a thoroughly enchanting experience. It warms my heart that camp (normally only seen at this level in the American theatre at Beach Blanket Babylon), cross-dressing, and a gay marriage between 2 policeman characters is considered suitable for children here. In fact, it has been suggested that it is by seeing these pantos at a young impressionable age that makes Britishers love the theatre so much as adults. In any case, it is a tradition that has been developing over hundreds of years and shows no signs of diminishing, thank goodness!

We couldn’t take any pictures during the play, but these pictures of some show posters give you a good idea of how wonderful Sir Ian looks. And what great legs he has. If only you could see him in action!