For those of you that live outside the UK, one of the very dear and cherished Christmas traditions is that of the family pantomime.  Every year thousands of families trek off to the theatre together so that they can partake in the panto, heckle the cast and yell out “he’s behind you”

And every year the one of the draw cards of the panto is which Z Class celebrity has a starring role.

Well about 3 months ago, London was abuzz with the news that Pamela Anderson was starring in Aladdin.  You can see where this is going cant you…

Yep, last night Katie and I made the trek out to Wimbledon to see the most downloaded person in history star as the genie in Aladdin – along with all the Dad’s in London who, for the first time, didn’t need to dragged kicking and screaming along with the children to the New Wimbledon Theatre.  In fact I think that some of the Dad’s may have even lost their children on the way to the theatre – and one guy even used the excuse of his poor wheelchair bound Grandmother’s birthday…

Now I am not sure if Pammy was brilliantly shocking or shockingly brilliant but I have not laughed so hard in a very long time.  And with her grand entrance being her singing the Christina Aguilera song Genie In A Bottle lyrics

I’m a genie in a bottle, baby
Gotta rub me the right way, honey
I’m a genie in a bottle, baby
Come, come, come and let me out

whilst being lowered from the theatre rafters on a shimmering white surfboard, you know it is only going to get better…  worse…  well more of whatever it was

And although it is fair to say that Pammy can’t act to save herself, what made the show so hysterically fantastic was that any concept of dignity was well and truly left in the stage wings as Pammy strutted her stuff in a red Baywatch-like swimsuit and poked fun not only at both Tommy-Lee and Kid Rock but also herself.  Recreating the infamous Baywatch boobie run whilst saying “Well honey, your wish is my command … and I will also run provocatively towards you on the beach if the tide comes in faster than expected.” was definitely a hit with all the Dad’s in the audience – as was the part where Pammy had to constantly gyrate/vibrate her tiny little body like a pair of live wires had been shoved up her warzoo….

Add to Pammy’s performance the typically camp and naf sing-a-long songs like Could It Be Magic, Working 9 to 5, a Jedward Ghostbusters impersonation and Blame It On The Boogie just to name a few it was no wonder that, by the end of the performance both Katie and I were up in our seats dancing and singing along with the cast.

Although tickets to the sessions of Aladdin that star Pamela are now apparently trading on Ebay for up to £160 I would not have sold my £29 tickets for love nor money.