Horrible Histories brought much-needed panto fun to Newark Showground with Horrible Christmas

A MUCH-NEEDED dose of festive fun and frivolity was delivered in a pantomime with difference at Newark Showground.

With live theatre at a premium this year, there is little wonder hundreds of families took advantage of Horrible Histories' carpark pantomime, Horrible Christmas, on Sunday.

They watched the comedy unfold on stage ­— or big screen ­— from the comfort of their cars, with sound broadcast over the radio.

It shouldn't have worked ­— but it did. There was even plenty of audience participation with the beeping of horns in disapproval at the bad guys and flashing headlights to help spread the magic.

The actors brave awful weather conditions to tell how a young boy, Watson, and detective Ella Mentary battled to save Christmas from a jolly man in red ­— and his blue nosed reindeer.

Along the way they met Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, Charles II ­— who served up my personal highlight with the Restoration Rap ­— and St Nicholas.

As you would expect, there was plenty of visual comedy, ridiculous rhymes and silly songs, as well as interesting facts thrown in for good measure.

It was slapstick, it was silly, it was just what we all needed this year. ­— SH