British Theatre Guide Blog

No, I’ve not got stuck in some kind of time warp.  For me it really is panto time.

Every year I write and direct a touring panto (which goes into social and working men’s clubs - not for the members but for their children) and we are now at the stage of writing (13 pages so far), set building and costume making/buying.  Oh, and casting: mustn’t forget the actors, although we’ve only got one part left to be filled.    We have a cast of five: dame, comic, villain, principal boy and principal girl (who doubles as good fairy).  Last year we had six: I played the Genie in Aladdin - voiceover on mini-disc!  This year we need a King and a Queen (it’s Sleeping Beauty), so they’re going to be either members of the audience or cardboard cut-outs (non-speaking roles, obviously!).

But this year I have been persuaded to direct a second panto (Aladdin again), for a local amateur operatic society.   It couldn’t be more different: months of rehearsal (as distinct from a week for the tour); a large chorus; lots of small parts as well as the principals; running for one week instead of four; theatre-based rather than two or three shows a day in different venues; a script in which audience interaction has to be scripted rather than the actors winging it the way professionals do; music from a band rather than recorded.  It’s going to be interesting!

I’m busy reading scripts at the moment: I’ve already looked at one and have three more to go.

It’s going to be an interesting few months.  I’ll keep you updated.