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When I was a little girl, Christmas was always a thrill — but the years when my father Joe booked his variety acts into pantomime shows were even more exciting. He was a theatrical agent and during those special Christmases his acts would showcase their panto turns in the living room of our flat in Great Portland Street, central London. I would be allowed to watch only if I was seen, but not heard; a common rule for children of my generation. Panto glamour: Joan Collins is playing Queen Rat in the Birmingham Hippodrome's production of Dick Whittington It was magical to see these performers at these early rehearsals —despite the fact they were stumbling over their lines, book in...

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