7 Days Till Panto Day 1

A change from our usual episodes, as we travel to Belfast, to the Grand Opera House, where we have a week to go until the first public performance of Cinderella. We have a company of 30 people who move into the theatre over the Christmas period, and join a team of people who work at the Opera House to stage our annual production. I'm the Company Manager, and it's my job to make it happen for nearly 80 performances all over the holiday period.
For those unfamiliar with the UK pantomime tradition - you take a fairy story, and present it for children, but importantly, for the parents too. The kids can laugh at one thing and the parents will be laughing at something else. You cheer the goodies and boo the baddies - this is compulsory. It's silly, great fun and the Goodies always win. Buttons loves Cinderella, Cinderella loves the Prince, but pantomime always has a happy ending. Panto is pure spectacle, amazing lighting, sound and special effects and the Award Winning Opera House pantomime is stunning!

[@2009blades]

What a great video I can relate to this as I'm on panto backstage myself

[@MikeSmith-or4il]

Good Luck on your show.

[@pauljohnson4590]

Thanks Mike. We get Christmas Day off!

[@shitshow3398]

What’s a stage carpenter

[@eastanglianradio]

Well, oddly (like many theatrical things) not really a carpenter - but a multi-tallented person who sees all the sets and scenery off the truck, and who builds them - sort of like giant lego, but then becomes a carpenter when they don't fit! Scenery is still made from wood and canvas mostly - so carpentry skills are sawing, screwing, cutting, joining, gluing - that kind of thing. Stage sets get pinned together - even things like staircases. They're all wood, canvas, hinges and pins!

[@eastanglianradio]

@@shitshow3398 That took the carpenter quite a while - there are so many and each one is screwed down!!

[@shitshow3398]

@@eastanglianradio oh ok thank you so much