Top Tips
There are lots of things that need to fall into place to create the perfect Pantomime. We've got over a decade of Pantomime experience & have combined our favourite tips & tricks here.
When putting on a pantomime your audience will only realise about half of the hard work you’ve done (if that!) But just because a much of what you've done is behind the scenes it doesn't mean it isn’t important.
During your rehearsal process there will be things that go wrong, things that change & things that are tricky to get just right. It’s important to think about every aspect of your show to ensure your production is a pantomime to be remembered!
Here are some helpful pointers that we've found invaluable over the years.
It Takes Just As Long To Rehearse A Bad Show As It Does To Rehearse A Good Show
So aim to do a good one! Or better yet, a great one!
This is a tongue-in-cheek phrase I once heard from a Director & they’re right! You’ve got a finite number of rehearsals so it's important to rehearse properly. Turn up on time, be prepared & give it your all every single time.
The quickest way to make progress is to get off book. Learn your lines as quick as you can & once scripts you'll make much faster progress. The audience is on your side but they can always tell which bits are under-rehearsed & will always spot the person at the back who doesn't know what they're doing! As the saying goes; practice makes perfect!
Panto Songs
Every great pantomime gets toes tapping & the audience humming along with a few well chosen musical numbers. Our Panto Songs page is full of suggestions for all your musical occasions.
Where possible, keep your songs between 2 & 3 minutes long & couple of Verses & Choruses work great to break up the dialogue with music. Make sure your cast are comfortable with the songs you've chosen & check with your Musical Director too! Backing tracks can often be found online & a live band can make all the difference! (That said, no band is better than a bad band!)
It's also perfectly acceptable in a Panto for the ensemble to run onstage to join in the singing & then exit straight afterwards. It's a great way to get your cast more stage-time & always gives the moment a boost. This works for pretty much all occasions & is especially effective with friendship, magic & adventure songs!
A Fast Show Is A Good Show
One of the biggest criticisms levelled at amateur theatre is having a slow show. Most productions excel with good pace & pantomime is no exception. Of course, there are slower scenes that pull on your heart strings or ramp up the tension, but there’s nothing worse than an awkward pause where everyone looks around waiting for someone to do something. Another ‘director-ism’ I’ve heard is “If the show is snappy the audience are clappy!”
They’re not universal rules but I’d recommend the following points to keep the pace going:
Never have an empty stage. There should always be something happening for the Audience to see.
Walk onstage half a line early so you’re easily visible by the time you deliver your lines.
Use all your entrances/exits to keep the flow of your cast on/off stage. Try to avoid bottlenecks & and give oncoming characters right of way!
If you absolutely must have an empty stage make sure there’s some music - there’s no bigger mood killer than a silent room!
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It's only a mistake if the audience notice
Mistakes happen & that’s just part of the course in live theatre. Sometimes the audience will notice but more often they won’t.
You’ll know the show from front to back after your rehearsals but your audience are seeing it for the first time. They won’t know you should have been standing a bit to the left, or that you got a couple of words mixed up.
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t get things wrong on purpose, but if you do make a mistake get back on track as quickly as possible & don’t let it throw you off!
Talk To The Front, Perform For The Back
You’ll get the best & most intimate engagement from those seated at the front. There’s nothing wrong with delivering lines to the front three or four rows, just make sure you can be heard at the back too.
When it comes to acting there’s an art to Panto & there's no need to constantly overact, (if anything it might make it less funny!) Give your lines & actions appropriate emphasis & be aware of the size of your auditorium. This goes for singing & dancing too - as a general rule dancing should be done with a smile on your face (regardless of the occasion/mood) & you should always sing (& talk) forwards!
Don’t forget, if you can see the audience then they can see you - even if you’re at the back. Stay engaged & part of the scene!
Not So Funny Bones
Sometimes when an actor knows they have a comedy part they’ll feel like they need to give the comedy performance of a lifetime. This might involve a comedy accent or voice, a physical character trait, or maybe even constant nodding & winking at the audience. Unfortunately, these sorts of things don’t always help.
Most things are funny because they offer at least an element of the truth. Make sure you don’t lose sight of the joke among a plethora of added extras that, in reality, might distract from the real humour. Look at actors you admire & aspire to perform like & use what you learn to compliment your performance. Just don’t just be a tribute act.
It’s also true that some people have funnier bones than others. Identify this when casting & put the right people in the right places. Sometimes comedy calls for the actor to keep a straight face & you can cast the funniest person in the world, however, if they can’t keep it together when needed they might accidentally ruin the joke. Rehearse lots & get used to where the laughs happen, that way they won’t catch you out when the curtain goes up!
Effective Sounds
Your script may sometimes call for Sound Effects that, when done right, add that extra shine to your show.
When your villain enters a “Dun-dun-dun!” will cue the audience into giving their best boos and a magic spell will have extra effect with a tinkly motif or some etherial music! Better yet, if you’re lucky enough to have a live band they can help by adding in appropriate sounds and underscore too. For example, in your Dame Monologue the drummer can give a “ba-dum-tish” joke drum hit for the cheesiest gags and they can underscore the moment for extra romance or tension.
Plan your special effects and use them appropriately; they can really add that extra sparkle which will make your show one to remember!
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Hey Good Looking
A key part of any production is making it look good. Everything from the set to the costumes needs to look right and a keen eye for detail will be invaluable.
Your set doesn't need to be complicated. If you're on a budget then party flags and tinsel can add a lot to a scene and if you're lucky enough to have a DIY enthusiast you can build lightweight scenery to give a great backdrop. A painted back wall &/or star cloth can be quick and easy ways to change scenery while the action is happening in front of the curtains!
Where possible, I’d recommend putting one person in charge of costumes. They don’t need to organise every single item, but they should have an overall view of who’s wearing what & any special bits that need sourcing or making. You can always use everyday items like waistcoats, leggings and skirts & you’ll be amazed at what you can pick up at places like H&M and Primark for fairly low prices.
If you have budget for it I’d recommend getting something special for your Dame. They’re one of the highlights of the show & need to look the part. Molly Limpet’s have been leading the way in costuming for over 20 years & they're sure to have something just right. Alternatively you can pick things up on places like eBay or perhaps someone in your company has the skill and time to make something bespoke!
Get Bums On Seats
There's nothing worse than performing to an empty room. Advertise your show early & spread the word to everyone who'll listen. You can make posters, flyers, banners & all sort of other things to pull in the punters.
Try to get featured in the local paper and send someone to your local radio station too. Social media is great for spreading the word, so make a sharable poster and perhaps even a 30 second video trailer! There's no such thing as bad publicity!
The first shows in your run will often sell less quickly so encourage friends and family to come early - they can always come again and see you go from strength to strength!
If you don't quite sell out encourage your audience to sit nearer each other & closer to the front. They'll feel more of a group & respond to the action better, plus you’ll not be looking at empty seats spaced around the room.
Have Fun!
Last but not least - enjoy yourself, because that’s what it’s all about!
Fun is infectious and your audience will get on board straight away if they can see you having the time of your life! When opening night arrives you’ll be full of adrenaline & raring to go. Knock your audience’s socks off and they’ll be in the palm of your hand as they boo the baddie, cheer the heroes and laugh at all your jokes.
Enjoy your time performing the show - break a leg! (Not literally, obviously!)
If you found this page helpful you should check out our Panto Songs page too! Don't forget we're happy to help too so please contact us if you have questions.