We watched in horror as kindly but clumsy ‘Colin’ the miller’s son was cast aside by his place-in-the-sun-seeking father and forced to rely on his own common sense – which, it’s fair to say, was scant. With the evil Fluella Frostbite keeping the entire region in a perpetual winter and Old King Cole’s palace overrun with rats, it was clear that a new kind of hero was needed. As luck would have it, Puss, the fantastical flying (please excuse the slang, in the cause of alliteration) feline, sauntered into the situation to remove the rats, gain the King’s trust and put her ‘master’, ‘Count Colin of Colden Common’ forward as a suitable suitor for Princess Clarabelle.

As Colin and Clarabelle had handily already fallen in love, all was well. EXCEPT!!! Fluella still had Puss’s magic wand, so the Winter-less-than Wonderland seemed doomed to be eternally perpetuating. However, following a fast and furious snowball fight, naturally with the participation of our thoroughly invested and lively charges, Spring returned. 

The boys from Pilgrims’ sat in the front rows and thoroughly enjoyed the performance, which was brim-full of traditional pantomime essentials – song and dance, jokes for the children and members of staff alike, and loads of audience participation! It really was such incredibly good fun, a wonderful production, and a new experience for some. 

Huge thanks to Mrs Birks and the Pilgrims’ catering department for preparing all of our drinks and snacks to take with us, not to mention packed lunches on our return, and all the members of staff who accompanied the boys; it is certainly an experience to be recommended. 

Anne Erasmus
Year 3 Teacher