Is panto a treat or a necessity?

As the schools break up - will you be taking your little ones to the panto, or is it just too pricey this year?

For many families it is one tradition the cannot do without and it is a nice bit of escapism from all the economic doom and gloom.

Michael Lynas, the Managing Director of Ambassador Theatres says that if the shows are good, people will still spend their magic beans.