Sally: Tony, there's an advertisement in the local paper saying that the theatre in the High Street is putting on "Cinderella". I haven't seen a pantomime for years and years. Do you fancy going?
Tony: Yeh, that sounds good. I don't think I've seen one since I was about fourteen — except for one on ice when I was crazy about skating, and that's not quite the same thing, is it?
Sally: No. Ice shows don't have all the wonderful traditional scenery and that gorgeous theatre atmosphere.
Tony: Pantomimes are awfully old, if you think about it, aren't they? I mean with a girl playing the part of the principal boy, all dressed up in tights and tunic ...
Sally: Mm, and the dame parts taken by men. I've never seen "Cinderella". I suppose the stepmother and the ugly sisters are the men's parts in that.
Tony: Aladdin used to be my favourite, when a comedian played the Widow Twankey. And when Aladdin rubbed the magic lamp an enormous genie appeared ...
Sally: And the audience booing the wicked uncle, and joining in the singing of the popular songs they always manage to get into the play somehow.
Tony: Yes! I wonder how on earth they manage to fit today's pop songs into pantomime stories?
Sally: Well, why don't we get tickets and find out?
Tony: Yes, OK. Come on, then.