[Cherie]

Not been to one for years


http:// mum has called for a "lewd and offensive" pantomime starring the Krankies, and former Doctor Who star John Barrowman, to be axed.

Natalie Wood has made an official complaint about Dick Whittington at Manchester Opera House, saying it was "too smutty" for children.

During the show, she said, Barrowman fondled co-star Janette Krankie's breasts, and also invited audience members to chant "Alice loves Dick".

The venue said no offence was intended.

'Finger through flies'
Ms Wood, who attended the show with 10 family members - including six children aged three to 12 - told the BBC the show crossed the line from innuendo to "raw" vulgarity.

Among the moments she took issue with was one where Wee Jimmy Krankie, played by Janette Krankie, poked her finger out of her trousers, emulating a penis.

"The main issue for us was the actual fondling of Jimmy Krankie's breasts and all the different cheap smutty jokes," she said.

"Normally we share the jokes from the show afterwards - these kind of jokes you would have to discourage the children from repeating and or acting out," she said.

A local primary school teacher, who wants to remain anonymous, told the BBC she was also concerned about the play after seeing it with her class.

'Really rude'
"I've seen a lot of pantos in my time but this was a step too far - all the staff agreed it was wholly inappropriate," she said.

"I felt really uncomfortable watching it with my class.

"They were all gasping and saying 'this is really rude'."

In her letter to the theatre, Ms Wood said her children had copied some of the jokes in the show.

"My children were repeating Alice loves Dick and sticking their fingers out of their trousers for a pretend penis throughout the evening.

"This is not acceptable and my children required far too much explaining about adult humour for a family show."www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-42349690


so what do you think? too much? or harmless innuendo?

[Niamh.]

It does sound a bit much for a kids show tbf :/

[bots]

more tea vicar. Sounds to me that the Crankies are well past their sell by date and are now doing anything to capture attention

[Cal.]

AHHHH

[James]

The Big Brother Panto was quite smutty. I guess that was for television though.

[_baileys_]

Not at all - Panto's are always tongue in cheek jokes for the kids and some sneaky comments / one liners that only grown ups will understand

[Marsh.]

"My children were repeating Alice loves Dick and sticking their fingers out of their trousers for a pretend penis throughout the evening."

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by _baileys_

Not at all - Panto's are always tongue in cheek jokes for the kids and some sneaky comments / one liners that only grown ups will understand

I think that's their issue though. This was less "one liners that fly over the heads of kids and was there for the adults" and obvious smut.

[waterhog]

Originally Posted by James

The Big Brother Panto was quite smutty. I guess that was for television though.

ohhhhhh no it isn't

[Gusto Brunt]

Last time I was at a panto I was 10 years old in 1992...John Inman, 'Mother Goose.

[Crimson Dynamo]

FILTH

[Nicky91]

not been to one ever

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Merry Molliemas

not been to one ever

Its a British concept, girls playing boys and boys playing girls with lots of carry on style innuendo, I think this one might have got away with it if they didn't actively encourage the kids to get involved in the smut

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Candy Cane

Its a British concept, girls playing boys and boys playing girls with lots of carry on style innuendo, I think this one might have got away with it if they didn't actively encourage the kids to get involved in the smut

okay, sounds funny the way you explain it to me

[-Sue-]

Originally Posted by Merry Molliemas

not been to one ever

oooh panto's are great when your a kid and when your grown up you take your kids.. all you need to practice is 'BEHIND YOU!' the rest well depends on the panto

Hope you manage to see one soon they are good fun

[Crimson Dynamo]

Man: Eggs are going up again.

Dame: That’ll surprise a few chickens.

[-Sue-]

Always remember 9/10 of one liners from panto it's not the mouth it comes out of it's the MIND it goes into...

(reminder: always have sense of humour switched to 'on' when at a panto)