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Fans are walking out of Catherine Tate’s panto after forking out up to £220 for tickets, branding the show a ‘smutfest’.
The festive adaptation of Sleeping Beauty stars Tate, Julian Clary and Coronation Street actor Nigel Havers in the fastest-selling panto in the history of London’s Palladium Theatre.
Customers expected a family friendly affair given the show times of 2.30pm and 7.30pm.
But the production has been widely panned by disappointed theatregoers for having ‘so little story, talent and innuendo’ with many upset by its crude gags.
An update on the theatre’s website now warns parents planning to bring their children along, reading: ‘Parental discretion is advised due to innuendo.’
The lucrative panto, featuring Tate as Carabosse, apparently received ‘no standing ovation’ with some visitors vowing to never go again.
Short-changed fans took to travel site TripAdvisor to voice their criticisms of the performance which marked the tenth anniversary of the theatre’s annual seasonal shows.
One wrote: ‘Julian Clary usually has us in fits of laughter, but even he seemed a shadow of his zany panto self. I sensed that many of the cast realised this years material was falling short.
‘Reliably hilarious skits felt tired, a lot of gags lacked the genius wit of old, and the customary, easy flow was just missing. With the exception of Catherine Tate’s well received “Nan” sketch, the audience was notably more subdued than I’ve ever witnessed.’
Another added: ‘This year was a big disappointment. Just dull, lack of plot and repeated jokes now wearing thin.
‘Catherine Tate was very dull. I’m not sure I’ll bother next year which is a shame because it’s been a tradition for us for the past 9 years.’
A third theatregoer said: ‘Couldn’t bring myself to clap. An adult show without children in mind. A grim, lazy tirade of innuendos.
‘I was ashamed that I had taken my young children.’
Another wrote: ‘Came out and felt very disappointed as its not cheap to go. There was no story to it at all. And the guy who keeps popping on singing was a nightmare.
‘Catherine Tate was awful.’
And an infuriated fan added: ‘Another dreadful “Panto” this year, or should I say weak variety show. Having seen several over the past 10 years, it really does begin to appear that the more £££ they make, the worse it gets.
‘It’s embarrassing how much £££ is spent on so little story, talent and innuendo. Nothing clever about it anymore, and their attitude of “it doesn’t matter because the audience will be drunk” and “the no plot” gag, is just tedious and rather insulting to the thousands who save up all year, to attend.
‘The audience reaction this week was clearly muted, and no standing ovation at the end.’
Not everyone was disappointed, with some fans visitors appreciating their costly day out.
One said: ‘Went to watch sleeping beauty panto, absolutely brilliant. Lovely theatre and staff were great.’
And another added: ‘Panto fun with amazing views. This is a great place, the views are good even in the cheap seats, the bars are pricey but that’s the weather and the staff helpful.’
The cheapest tickets for Sleeping Beauty are available for £35 with some costing £220.
The show will play throughout December and end on January 11.
The Daily Mail has approached Tate and the London Palladium for comment.
