It's nearly the end - oh no it isn't, oh yes it is!

As I write this, today's matinee audience are still leaving the theatre and there's just five more performances of Robin Hood to go.

We've announced today that over 120,000 people will have come to see the show by the time it ends on Sunday (1 Feb) and £2.5 million taken at the box office. This has broken the previous two panto's.

Despite what's happening with the credit crunch generally, it does seem that people really do want to spend money on something that will cheer them up and pantomime obviously provides that. Especially when you have a brilliant cast led by the fantastic, fantastic, fantastic John Barrowman and our very own Don Maclean and of course Paul Zerdin who has been such a hit with our audiences this year.

I've been knocking on a few dressing room doors to say goodbye to people today, it's always sad when a panto season comes to an end as the theatre staff and the panto company become one big theatre family.

We had our pantomime party last night in the theatre and there were quite a few tears and goodbye's at the end of it.

I'm told that our other panto favourite Brian Conley will be in on Sunday to watch the show together with a few other famous panto faces - so that will be a nice ending to a great season.

But hey ho in the magical land of pantomime it won't be long before we'll be announcing the stars of Snow White - I wonder who it will be this year?

Oh I hope it's ... now that would be telling.

Happy panto going.

Signing off.

Laughter is the best medicine

One of the things I love about pantomime is standing at the back of the stalls at the beginning of the show and listening to the laughter coming from the audience and watching families have a really great time.

There's a sea of wands and flashing lights all around and it just provides a gentle reminder that this is what theatre is all about, good solid entertainment and the chance to escape the doom and gloom which is hanging over us all at the moment.

So it was really great to hear that through donations from the general public and local companies we've managed to enable over 500 patients and their families share this very British tradition. Thanks to everyone who donated to our Panto Appeal these children and there families will be able to have a break from what can be a very stressful time at hospital and for a few hours, at least, join in and have some fun. The children will also have the chance to meet some of the cast who will be dashing off stage after curtain down to say hello. So thank you for helping.

If you want to donate to our 2009/10 panto there's more information on our website www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Access

We had our audio described performance of Robin Hood earlier this week. Jonathan Nash and Margaret Spittles, our describers, sit in a booth at the back of the circle and describe the action on stage for those people in our audience who are blind or visually impaired. Before the curtain went up though, we ran a small touch tour on the set of Robin Hood. It gave our patrons the chance to meet some of the pantomime wardrobe department who had brought with them some beautiful costumes from the show. They described the material and style and went over some of the set too. It's always nice to meet our patrons this way and to be able to get them to meet the people behind the scenes of a big show like this.

Tomorrow (Friday) we have a special schools matinee which is being signed as well as described. You'll be able to see our signer Clare Edwards on stage if you are attending and don't forget to look at the back of the stalls to see if you can spot Jonathan and Margaret busy describing too.

Our Christmas party!

The start of the pantomime season is a very busy time for everyone at the theatre over the festive season so our Christmas party was held last night.

We have a great new bar and bistro now (opposite our Stage Door) called, appropriately, StageSide so the party was held there. Staff finish work at different times here so technical and front of house staff arrived after curtain down and we were all pleased that the panto cast came across after the show too. Our Sheriff of Nottingham, Peter Gallagher, was strutting his stuff on the dance floor and Paul Zerdin (Will Scarlett) was chatting away to theatre staff by the buffet table. And it was great to see the brilliant dancers and singers from the show livening up the dance floor to Abba and Grease tunes - always a pull for any theatrical!

We hold a raffle at our Christmas party. All the money raised last night will be donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital Cancer Ward - am pleased to say we've nearly reach our target - fantastic!

Party over though - it's all hands on deck front of house for today's matinee at 2pm - there's no business like showbusiness!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all!

Can you believe it, Christmas and New Year over and John Barrowman and cast have already performed Robin Hood 30 times to date. This means that thousands of people from all over the country have made the journey to Birmingham Hippodrome - including Adam Woodyatt who plays Ian Beale in BBC1's Eastenders! He was spotted in the stalls recently - I wonder if the new Dr Who will make a visit?

Backstage, Wardrobe Supervisor Tony Priestly was on hand with needle and thread. Paul Zerdin (Will Scarlett) had split one of his costumes just minutes before curtain up, Tony rushed to the wings to help out and managed to temporarily repair it before Paul's cue. phew!

And Happy Birthday Harry Smith who plays Mutch the Miller's son. He celebrated his 18th birthday this week. The cast organised a special cake and presents on stage before going out after the show.

Oh and did you know that Robin Hood first appeared in Babes In The Wood in 1867 as the character who rescues the babes from their fate.