Alex Jackson Pantomimes

Pantomime Help & Advice

Check out all our best top tips now to create a hit pantomime production!

Top Moments from the 2025/26 Pantomime Season

Not everyone has the time (or indeed inclination) to go and watch pantomimes once theirs is finished, or in preparation for one. So I wanted to report some of my favourite moments from productions I saw over the 2025/26 season:

5 Guaranteed Ways to Achieve a Standing Ovation

Your cast have worked hard, your crew have supported them brilliantly, and they all deserve the praise. So how do you achieve the fabled standing ‘O’?

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime Script Fairy Starlight Moonbeam Nanny Nightnurse

Directing the Perfect Scene Change

Scene changes may seem functional, but they are a critical element to get right for a slick and pace driven pantomime.

Pantomimes with Strong Female Roles

In amateur productions, casting teams are usually awash with female applicants leaving the traditionally male roles more difficult to fill. But does it have to be like this?

Re-Writing the Fairest Pantomime of All

While all my scripts have an annual spruce up, but how do you re-write a script you’ve already written?

How to Re-write the Lyrics of a Song For a Pantomime

If you are re-writing lyrics for the first time, or simply interested in a refresher here’s my advice on how to re-write a show stopping number.

How to Adapt a Pantomime Script for Your Community

You’ve chosen your script, now it’s time to get the wheels of planning in motion. You’ve got big dreams about casting, set design, costumes and music. But there’s a magic touch that’s often overlooked which can really elevate your production.

Is Your Pantomime too Long?

Too long, and your audience drift off and lose concentration. Especially in the Netflix age. Too short, and they feel short changed having paid a full ticket price.

Are Ticket Sales Lower for Once Upon a Time in Pantoland and Other Unusual Pantomime Script Titles?

Sometimes I get asked whether unusual titles impact ticket sales. So I asked some recent producers of Once Upon a Time in Pantoland to see if their ticket sales were affected. Here’s what they said.

How to Cast Your Next Pantomime

You’ve chosen your script, and all the musical numbers. You’ve designed your poster and appointed your creative team. Now it’s time to find actors to play all the parts in your pantomime. Boost your Membership First things first. You need a pool of people to audition for the show. In a thriving group, there are…

Director’s Perspective: How to Start a Pantomime

The audience are seated, your cast are ready and waiting backstage, but how will you kick off proceedings for this year’s spectacular pantomime?

How to Make Your Pantomime Production Simple and Effective

To this day, the most effective theatre I’ve ever seen has been staged with effective simplicity. You can create theatrical magic with low-fi techniques and wow audiences with simple optical illusions.

5 Tips to Help Actors Deliver Hilarious Pantomime Comedy

At the core of every successful pantomime is side-splitting comedy. Here’s my top tips to keep your pantomime script brimming with comic potential.

5 Top Tips to Make Your Pantomime Sparkle

You’ve got an enthusiastic cast, an organised director and a brilliant supporting crew who build the sets, make the costumes, volunteer front of house, but your pantomime is lacking that professional sparkle that you’d like in order to keep audiences coming back year after year.

The Wizard of Oz Pantomime Characters

You may think you know all the characters from The Wizard of Oz story. Perhaps you’ve read the book and seen the film. But have you ever seen a pantomime version?

Writing Jack and the Beanstalk for Hendra Holidays

Hendra Holidays came to me requesting a bespoke Jack and the Beanstalk script – discover how I wrote it.

How to Make Best Use of Your Rehearsal

Here’s my top tips to rehearsals where you can make real progress practicing for the show, and have a great time all together.

Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime Script Cheltenham Company

Writing Jack and the Beanstalk for Cheltenham Playhouse

Last year I wrote a bespoke pantomime for the professional panto at Cheltenham Playhouse. The show received rave reviews “I haven’t laughed so much in a very long time!” (Glos.info) and broke box office records at the venue. But how did I go about writing a new take on the traditional story in the first…

How to Prepare For an Audition

Auditions are a necessary part of being on stage but they can often be anxiety inducing and unpleasant experiences. I’ve written this blog to help break down some of the myths about auditions and help you prepare for them as best you can.

Relocating Robin Hood for Honiton Community Theatre Company

Robin Hood is the fourth pantomime I’ve written for HCTC, and it was great fun reimagining the medieval tale for modern audiences. In a matter of months I took the script from plot outline to full first draft. This blog explains how.

How to Recruit New Pantomime Group Members

There’s some easy things that you can do to increase the uptake in membership and broaden the skills and age groups that you recruit.

How to Make Your Pantomime More Professional

With increasing popularity of the large regional and mid scale professional pantomimes, how can you keep on top of the game with your pantomimes?

How to Keep Your Pantomime Production on Track

In all productions big and small there’s a variety of aspects that need to be considered well in advance of the show.

5 Things to Help Actors get Through a Pantomime Run

Sometimes a pre show warm up just won’t cut it. So blow the cobwebs away and hit the stage performance ready every time.

How to Play the Pantomime Dame

The art of ‘daming’ is a crucial element of the genre of pantomime. It takes all sorts – the short and ro–tund, the tall and slender, the motherly, the naughty and everything in-between.

Reaching for the Stars with a Bespoke Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime Script

In December 2022, Matt and Reece at Bowtie productions got in touch with me to ask me to write a bespoke pantomime script for their first pantomime at the Blakehay Theatre in Weston Super Mare. Weston Super Mare has a large commercial pantomime already, so they wanted to provide an affordable alternative for local families, and offer…

Is Bigger Always Better When it Comes to Pantomimes?

I’m proud that my scripts get produced on all manner of scale and sizes every year. From village hall to the enormous SEC in Glasgow, audiences, cast and crew alike revel in panto hilarity. But is bigger better? (That’s enough you two at the back, this is a family show!) Well I think the answer…

X Marks the Spot for my new Treasure Island Pantomime Script

This week I’ve been working on ideas behind a brand new script: Treasure Island. Research and preparation So, how do I prepare when writing a new title? Well, in this case I fired up Disney+ and spent a cosy afternoon watching The Muppet’s Treasure Island. I even watched the DVD of a production of Treasure Island that I…

Rishi Sunak joins the cast of the London Palladium Pantomime

The London Palladium has announced a new production of Mother Goose will be its Christmas 2024-5 pantomime. It’s been leaked that, with the public likely to vote him out of Downing Street in the general election, Rishi Sunak is joining the cast. Palladium panto regular Julian Clary will co-star, with other returning regulars Paul Zerdin, Nigel…

Writing a Genie-us Bespoke Aladdin Pantomime Script

In Spring 2023, Keiron and Matt at Cheltenham Playhouse got in touch with me to explore having a bespoke pantomime script written for their first pantomime at the venue.

List of Pantomimes

Pantomime season is nearly at a close, and so you’re probably looking ahead to your next pantomime. Perhaps you’ve already chosen a title. Perhaps you’d like to browse the list of 15 pantomimes I have available to license. Perhaps you’d like to premiere my upcoming Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or Pinocchio. Or another bespoke title. Dozens of my…

2024 (Re)introduction to Alex Jackson Pantomimes

I’m fresh from directing Dick Whittington at Exeter Northcott Theatre, so I’ve written this to (re)introduce myself.

How I Write Bespoke Pantomime Scripts

Writing bespoke pantomime scripts is one of my favourite things to do throughout the year. It means I can really tailor the script for your venue, cast, creative team and production values.

How to Create an Effective Production Committee

A committee is only as strong as its weakest member. For a successful group, you need lots of different skills to keep things going.

How to Save Money on Printing Marketing Materials

As with all amateur theatre groups, survival is down to how well a production sells. Promotional materials are key to the success of pulling in an audience so I’m going to feature several different types of promotional materials, how you can save money on them, and the pros and cons of each. There are several…

What Are Production Meetings and Why Are They Useful?

In all productions big and small there’s a variety of aspects that need to be considered well in advance of the show. These are often integral to the performance but can easily get left out and forgotten about then rushed at the last minute. This blog is all about keeping on top of these things…

How to Get Your Show Sponsorship

Fundraising is becoming increasingly harder and ticket sales still more difficult to cover costs of a production let alone put some money away for a rainy day. This blog is designed to help you attract sponsorship effectively from local businesses and organisations to keep your organisation afloat. Advertise sponsorship opportunities Most groups welcome sponsorship in…

Writing Once Upon a Time in Pantoland

In early Summer 2021, a good friend of mine asked if I’d be interested in writing a bespoke script for their pantomime return following the lifting of Covid 19 restrictions, of course I jumped at the chance.

3 Secrets to Amateur Theatre Success

You might say amateur theatre is just that – amateur. But just because you’re doing amateur theatre, it doesn’t mean the quality or impact is restricted. People don’t just go to see local theatre to support their friends and family that are in it. They go to have a good evening with local people. Your…

5 Ways to Make Your Amateur Theatre Committee Successful

I look at what makes a successful organising committee for amateur theatre and how you can maintain this as members come and go.

5 Things to Check When Choosing a Pantomime Script

It’s very easy to spend hours and hours pouring over stories, scripts, summaries and scene lists when looking for your next pantomime. I wanted to compile a list of 5 easy things that you can check to see if you have a decent pantomime script. Writers, directors and actors will all have different ideas of…

How To Write a Pantomime Adaptation

Inspired by adapting unusual titles, here’s everything I’ve learned from writing fairytales and novels as a pantomime adaptation.

What are all the Different Pantomime Characters?

Explaining a pantomime to anyone who hasn’t experienced one is always entertaining. Where do you start? With the crazy characters, of course!

Cinderella Pantomime Song Suggestions

This week I’ve been doing some more work on my Cinderella script, and I often use playlists of music to help with my writing process. Then I thought it might be useful to share this playlist with you.

5 Things Your Pantomime Audience Will Love

So what does your pantomime audience love? I give you essential advice for writing or creating your next pantomime.

What are the Different Pantomime Titles

I take you through the most popular and unusual pantomime titles and how you should choose your next panto to perform or write.

How to Structure a Pantomime Script

My advice on what’s important to bear in mind when thinking about how to structure a pantomime script. A perfect first-time guide.

5 Brilliant Pantomime Songs From the 2020/21 Season

There may not have been as many pantomimes as usual this season, but there were some cracking shows and brilliant innovation in the shows that made it to the stage. One of my favourite things about pantomime is seeing how different producers use songs in interesting ways. Here’s my round up of the 5 best…

Why Your Pantomime Group Should Be on Social Media

Communicating with your membership is one of the hardest parts of running a cohesive amateur pantomime group. Communicating effectively with the general public is even harder! Having spent 10 years working on amateur theatre before moving to work professionally in the industry, I know how important these things are. In this blog, I’m going to…

A Beginner’s Guide to British Pantomime Traditions

To an outsider, pantomime may seem bizarre, even misjudged. However, to those who grew up with the tradition, there are many governing rules, fun quirks and bizarre twists that work together to make the panto magic we all know and love.

What are the Different Stage Management Roles?

Stage managers and the stage management team are a crucial part of the overall machine of making theatre. They cover a really wide field of skills and expertise that keep a production running both on and off stage.

The Best Pantomime Dame Songs

Ever find yourself looking for the perfect number for a dame who can really sing? Or maybe you’re looking for that comic skit bound to make people laugh? Either way, you want the dame’s song to make a real impact in your pantomime. Here’s my list of songs which are always brilliant to achieve these…

How to Direct_ He’s Behind You Scene

How to Direct: He’s Behind You Scene

‘He’s Behind You’ or ‘Ghost Gag’ is one of the most well known pantomime traditions. In this blog, I set out some ideas on how to make your ‘He’s Behind You’ scene the best it can be.

Why is Pantomime Important?

Why is Pantomime Important?

With a lot of this year’s pantomime season being cancelled , I’ve been thinking a lot about why we do pantomime, and what I’ll miss about seeing them this year.

The Best Way to Write Your Next Press Release

The Best Way to Write Your Next Press Release

As an amateur theatre group, press releases are a great way to get word out about your next production. You can write them and send them to local newspapers, bloggers and social media influencers to let them know that your production is happening, and why they should share the news about it.

5 Common Errors You’re Making On Your Pantomime Poster

5 Common Errors You’re Making On Your Pantomime Poster

With technology becoming ever more advanced, and software more widely available, it’s never been easier to create eye catching poster artwork for your pantomime. Here’s my advise on how to make sure your poster is tip-top and does your show justice.

How to Make Your Technical Rehearsals Brilliant

How to Make Your Technical Rehearsals Brilliant

Technical rehearsals are the part of the production where everything starts to come together. Costumes are on and under the lights, the set is up (hopefully) and the creative team are working harder than ever to finalise the production. But how can you plan for this time and ensure you’re using the time as best…

Amateur Theatre To Be Included in 'The Rule of Six'

Amateur Theatre To Be Included in ‘The Rule of Six’

More Covid restrictions were announced for the UK today as the infection rate rises across the country. The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has confirmed an update to the prior guidance for safely producing amateur theatre productions.

The Best Pantomime Opening Numbers

The Best Pantomime Opening Numbers

The opening number sets the standard for the audience of the show they’re about to enjoy. You want it to grab your attention, to ‘wow’ and to be high energy. It’s often following some kind of prologue, so bringing the audience into the colourful world of the pantomime is essential. Here’s my list of songs…

How to make your rehearsal room positive and productive

How to Make your Rehearsal Room Positive and Productive

It’s always a juggling act to run rehearsals in a way which best serves all these groups of people and the production. However, here are some tips that can help you do just that.

5 Things That Will Make Your Auditions Better

5 Things That Will Make Your Auditions Better

Finding your cast members can feel very stressful. They are the foundations of the characters and if you get your casting wrong you can end up regretting it right up to the closing night of the production! So I’ve put together my tips to make casting your show as good as it can be.

What are all the different roles in a creative team?

What are all the different roles in a creative team?

When you first decide you’re going to direct or produce a show, and you’ve decided on the pantomime title, your next thought is probably going to be who else you want to work with. Here’s my list of all the roles on a creative team and what their responsibilities are towards the production.

5 Things to Help You Choose Your Next Pantomime Script

5 Things to Help You Choose Your Next Pantomime Script

Finding your next script to perform can feel like an endless yearly task. You order lots of perusals, perhaps include writers whose scripts you have performed before. Or perhaps you’re a first-time producer/director and you’re looking for a fresh script to whisk you away on exciting adventures. Here’s my list of key things to make…

The Best Pantomime Baddie Songs

The Best Pantomime Baddie Songs

The pantomime baddie often gets some of the best lines in the show, but sometimes they can be left with rather dreary musical numbers. The baddie’s song is an opportunity to let rip with so many great numbers. Here’s my list of songs which are perfect for a whole range of nastiness to ensue.

3 Common Mistakes Directors Make And How to Avoid Them

3 Common Mistakes Directors Make And How to Avoid Them

Having worked with amateur group casts and professional pantomime actors, I’ve made a fair few mistakes in directing shows! Of course, that’s how we learn. I decided to put this blog together to try and help you stop making the same mistakes I did, and I’ve seen other directors doing a fair few of them,…

5 Ways to Make Pantomimes Happen Post Covid

5 Ways to Make Pantomimes Happen Post-Covid

With professional theatres still unsure whether the Christmas season can go ahead or not, amateur pantomime producers are in a similar position. I’ve been thinking about some ways we can ensure the season goes ahead safely for audiences, cast and crew.

The Best Pantomime Finale Songs

The Best Pantomime Finale Songs

The pantomime finale is the glittery ending to an epic adventure. Are you always looking for inspiration for songs to fill that coveted spot? Here’s some of the numbers on my ever-growing list.

3 Reasons your School or Youth Group Should put on a Pantomime

3 Reasons your School or Youth Group Should put on a Pantomime

You find yourself once again looking for a new production that’s perfect to be performed by children and young people. Whether you’re a teacher, or youth group leader the problem is the same: ‘Where will I find a script with plenty of scope for your young people to perform?’ That’s where I say: ‘Pantomime is…

3 Things to Remember as a First-Time Director

3 things to remember if you’re setting out as director on your first show, here’s some things that are useful to bear in mind.

The Secret to Writing the Perfect Rehearsal Schedule

Writing a rehearsal schedule can be a very daunting task at first. There’s lots to consider and lots of people to please. Let alone, the amount of rehearsing to actually be done! Then of course you have to take into account the needs of the other members of the creative team, costume fittings, so on…

5-Easy-Ways-to-Advertise-Your-Pantomime-Online-For-Free

5 Easy Ways to Advertise Your Pantomime Online For Free

Digital marketing is a must-have feature of your next marketing campaign. There are lots of opportunities to do free marketing for your pantomime online, but some are more effective than others. Here’s my low-down on the best places to advertise your pantomime online for free.

Dick Whittington Pantomime Script Sarah Suet and Idle Jack

How should my village pantomime sell tickets online?

With so much time to stop and think at the moment, you might be planning to have a look at how your amateur theatre group works. One thing that comes up time and time again is selling tickets online. Is this something you’re already doing? Or is it something you’re looking into? Either way, hopefully…

5-Types-of-Stage-Layout

5 Types of Theatre Stage

One of the most exciting parts of performing in flexible venues like town halls, village halls, community arts spaces (like a lot of amateur theatre groups) is that you can change the type of stage that you are performing on. In this blog, I’m exploring some of the possible stage shapes you could create.

Aladdin Pantomime Script Cheltenham Wishy Twankey

How to save money on producing a pantomime

At times like these, it’s sensible to be financially prudent when producing your annual pantomime. I thought it would be useful to share some thoughts on ways you can save money on your pantomime without cutting corners.

Pantomime on Film

If you’re stuck at home in lockdown, here’s some links to some of the ways you can enjoy pantomime online!

A-Potted-History-of-Pantomime

A Potted History of Pantomime

The pantomime we know today draws its inspiration from many strands of popular entertainment through the ages. You’ve probably heard names of past stars such as Danny La Rue, Dan Leno and Stanley Baxter. In this blog I will give a potted history of the famous British art form.

5 Top Tips for Amateur Pantomime Producers

Ever wondered what it takes to be a producer? Amateur producers have similar roles to professional ones. The role encompasses everything you might need to do to make the production happen. Here’s a few tips form my experiences producing amateur and professional theatre.

Rapunzel Pantomime Script Penny Perm Blue

Why I Love Pantomimes

I’ve been lucky to work professionally in Pantomime, but my love for the art from started, as many people’s is did, with one of my first visits to the theatre. For some this annual outing would be the first or only trip to the theatre that year.

Types-of-Pantomime

Types of Pantomime

Lots of pantomimes take place up and down the country every year from the London Palladium to the smallest of village halls. Here’s a round up of the types of pantomime that take place.

5 Easy Steps to put on the Perfect Pantomime

If it’s your first time directing or producing a pantomime, it can be difficult to know where to start, so I’ve put together this first-time guide to making sure your production is one to remember!