A big panto thank you...

I love the traditions of Christmas – family gathering together, turkey, tree, tinsel and of course the trip to the pantomime. We’ve still got some tickets available over the next week. This year’s show is a cracker, I can’t remember when we had such positive feedback from both adults and children. As we reach the half-way point in the seven week run I think it’s time to say thank you to all the dedicated and fantastic staff that have made the show possible.

Every department works tirelessly to make sure the production is a huge success. The wardrobe team work with the show’s designer right at the start of the year to begin making the eye-popping costumes. Once the show is up and running they are on hand every day to get the actors (especially dame Fine Time Fontaye) into their outfits for the quick changes and fill the washing machine at the end of each performance.

The stage management and technical teams make sure every show goes on without a hitch, setting all the props (and there are hundreds) in the right places backstage and lugging the wacky scenery on and off stage. Musical director David Bintley and the band have produced a brilliant musical score – King Rat’s song is something which has to be seen to be believed.

Front of house is just as busy, the Coliseum’s Front of House Managers and ushers make sure all the school groups, parents, grandparents and kids find their seats. The box office phones are ringing off the hook and the bar staff are serving up Bailey’s lattes by the dozen. Not forgetting the wonderful housekeeping team that clean the auditorium top to bottom twice a day, six days a week for seven weeks. That’s a huge number of bin bags.

Elsewhere in the theatre the education and outreach department have been going out to local schools to deliver panto workshops – teaching the pupils about the traditions of pantomime. The marketing department have been working their socks off to make sure everyone knows about the show. The admin team work out the casting logistics resulting in a fantastic ensemble for this year’s production.
And let’s not forget the superb cast who have all brought their own unique talents to the production as well as working terrifically as a team. Producing the annual pantomime is a real team effort and this year has been tremendous fun. Tickets are still available so do make sure you catch the show before it ends in January.

There’s just enough space for me to wish you all a happy Christmas!

See you at the theatre.

Kevin Shaw
Artistic Director