The last time I was here I was no older than seven.

In those days I thought the height of sophistication was eating breaded plaice, chips and peas. Everywhere we went I ate, and sometimes ordered, this.

So, over thirty years ago, I was sitting down after my favourite meal in the restaurant next to the Palladium when my parents announced that we were about to go next door to watch a show. That’s when my love of the theatre started and it’s a moment I’ve never forgotten.

Today the restaurant is still there. We didn’t have time to sit down to eat and, instead, grabbed a sandwich and coffee over the road in Carnaby Street before we waited to go into the theatre to watch The Sound of Music.

The Palladium is one of Frank Matcham’s remaining London theatres. Built during the golden age of theatre building it has his, self taught trade mark cantilevered balcony and richly decorated interior. The opera glasses are still there, just plastic now but the same excitement was there walking into the place.

It’s odd given the number of times I go to the theatre over the years that it’s taken this long to get back to the Palladium but the show was amazing. After all the build up from the BBC show Connie Fischer doesn’t disappoint.

Jeremy Sams’s production looses all the twee kitchiness that has surrounded the musical and the sing-a-long re-showings of the film of recent years and returns it to the operetta that it really is. Add into the mix Lesley Garrett as a Mother Superior with her amazing voice and the show is complete.

Tonight we were guests and I have to say the hospitality of the front of house staff easily matched the performances on stage. With a private bar and escorted to and from our seats it was a night to remember and a wonderful welcome back to this theatre.

After a stop off at Smollenskys in The Strand K and I headed up into Covent Garden for a meal, to sit out under the Christmas lights and enjoy a glass of mulled wine.

Just a few of my favourite things ….