Nick Ahad: Blunt truths about music and panto as an introduction to stage

As proof, I will share this moment of domestic disharmony with you: a recent and fairly big argument with my better half over his song You're Beautiful.

My partner is much cooler than I am. If cool could be measured and there was an average, I would be decidedly below the median line and she categorically above it.

She introduces me to music I would never otherwise come across, let alone listen to.

She tells me about artists she thinks I might like, gets me to watch Brazilian and French movies.

Left to my own devices, I would eventually, I like to think, get round to doing this kind of thing anyway, but having someone as cool and interesting as my partner around speeds up the process.

So, James Blunt.

It happened at Christmas, one of the few periods of the year when the pair of us sit around for days on end watching TV.

The remote control was hers for the first week. I never want to watch another musical.

The second week, the zapper was mine again.

So there we were, watching one of those "brains unnecessary" programmes which tells you a list of the 100 best songs/books/films.

We came in at number 11 of the best songs of the decade and so did Sergeant Major Lance Corporal, whatever he was in the army, Blunt, with his You're Beautiful.

My partner explained to me why I shouldn't like this kind of pap pop, that it had no real depth, was sentimental without emotion and the worst example of schmaltzy song you might be forced to listen to.

I, calmly and rationally, explained that just because something is popular doesn't mean it can't be good and it was my turn with the control, so there.

In the ensuing silence I was able to ponder why she might be right and why the same arguments could equally be applied to theatre.

During December and January many of you will have taken your young charges along to theatres to shout "he's behind you!".

There is a lie perpetrated by parents at this time of year that pantomime is important because it is a child's introduction to the theatre.

It often is a child's first experience of the art form, but all too often it is a one-night-stand with the theatre rather than a life-long love affair.

This isn't some sanctimonious, holier-than-thou column. The point is that while there's nothing wrong with listening to James Blunt, my cooler, better half is also right and there is more to music than something quite so shallow as You're Beautiful.

Similarly, by all means take the kids to panto. But do try to make the visit to the theatre more than once a year.