IT’S a funny old life! My last column was all doom and gloom but there is occasionally some light in the tunnel.

The Swan pantomime Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood has record advance sales, well up on last year.

Really surprising, given the current economic climate, although I do have theories about why it might be.

Without blowing our own trumpet too much, the last two pantomimes at the Swan have been terrific.

We have had really great feedback and people have definitely liked the family atmosphere of them, with no embarrassing innuendo.

So I think we are reaping the benefit of that.

Also, I think people may be scaling down a bit, and although they are still going to have a pantomime outing, they have decided to stay local which is probably a cheaper ticket and less overheads. We think it will be a better show, but we would say that, wouldn’t we?

We started rehearsals last Monday – professionals only get 10 days to learn the script, the moves, the song and the dances and then they are into the dress rehearsals.

It’s a tall order, but they always manage it, even if it does stop me sleeping at night with the worry.

Despite the great advance sales, we still have plenty of tickets left, so forget your worries, and come and have a great night (or afternoon) out at the Swan.

Pantomime is genuinely for all ages so everybody is welcome and will have a good time.

● Chris Jaeger is chief executive of Worcester Live.