Hospital panto was '˜just what the doctor ordered'

Christmas is a particularly difficult time of year for children to be in hospital, so the Starlight Children’s Foundation brought some fun and laughter to Starfish and Safari children’s wards at Watford Hospital, with a visit from a pop-up pantomime.

Children and their families were treated to a new, interactive adaptation of the well-loved children’s classic Dick Whittington and his Cat when the Starlight Storytellers Tour and Panto Company came to town.

The young patients got to laugh, cheer and sing along as four actors performed for them, their families and staff.

Helen Cripps, a play specialist on Starfish ward, said: “It is well known that entertainment and play can significantly improve the experience a child has in hospital and that it helps to distract them from their illness and treatment for a short while and experience the magic of Christmas.

“Starlight is a fantastic charity and each year we look forward to seeing the Christmas panto and the fun and laughter it brings our young patients. There’s nothing like a good pantomime to capture a child’s imagination.

“The pantomime really gave our young patients and their families some excitement, and left them on a high.

“This performance of Dick Whittington was just what the doctor ordered!”

Starlight Children’s Foundation grants wishes for seriously ill children.