The audience are seated, your cast are ready and waiting backstage, but how will you kick off proceedings for this year’s spectacular pantomime?
Low energy efforts can mean your cast are climbing uphill with comedy to warm up the audience. Slow and steady won’t do in this scenario. So I’ve written the definitive guide to beginning your pantomime with gusto and excitement.
The Auditorium
The audience’s experience begins the moment they set foot in the auditorium of your pantomime venue. Picture it. They’re organising the kids (and let’s be real, the grandparents), trying to find their seats, taking off coats and outside jackets. So you might be forgiven for assuming they aren’t paying attention to the atmosphere of the space. But the subconscious mind is always aware.
Pre Show Sound Effects
Auditoriums are not meant to be silent. Some sort of pre-show noise is essential. You may opt for a mix of distant noises from the show alongside some magical sparkles and the noise of a band warming up.
For example, an occasional clatter of hooves from the horse (Britney Spurs) in Rapunzel, or a cow-made moo from Jack and the Beanstalk, even a sound of the seven seas from Peter Pan, Treasure Island or Dick Whittington.
Pre Show Music
Otherwise some pre-show music goes down well. It’s important the music is upbeat. There are plenty of brilliant ballads and low BPM songs, but this is not the time for them! You want your audience to be geared up real for a couple of hours of fun and laughter (I always advise this is the case for your chosen musical numbers in the script itself, too).
Some performing over the festive season opt for Christmas music. Others for well-known pop classics. The London Palladium has recently used the epic movie theme from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves as their pre-show music which worked nicely. So don’t rule out a more classical sound, as long as it has the drive of an epic adventure.
Pre Show Lighting
Searchlights can be a favourite here, alongside highlighting different elements of the design. Perhaps your Snow White show cloth has some apples on it. Programme a sequence where each of them lights up in a random order one after the other. It’s great for audiences to have something to watch while egearly awaiting the beginning of the show.
Talking of which, house lights should be low, and when they’re taken out completely at the beginning of the show, the fade should be gradual. A sharp cross from light to dark is very noticeable!
The Production
As the lights go down and the show begins, it’s important to give the audience a taste of what to expect from the production. Fun and laughter, yes, but also a driven pace and spectacular special effects.
Pre Show Announcements
You might like to start the show with a VoiceOver requesting no recording of the show, and for everyone to switch off any mobile devices. Announcements are a good opportunity to write in a comedic tone to be delivered by the Dame or Comic which adds a level of interest for the audience. The most important thing is to keep them short and concise. In fact, the shorter the better!
Pantomime Overtures
Some productions begin with an overture. This has been traditional in the past, and can be handy to indicate the show is beginning. As a child I used to enjoy trying to guess all the songs in the show from the instrumental overture as they would often be mashed up within it somewhere.
I have a golden rule, that if there is an overture, audiences should have something visual to watch during it. It’s a great opportunity to highlight the brilliant dancers in your production, or show off some fancy lighting equipment. Otherwise it can be a bit boring to watch, and audiences are used to entertainment grabbing their attention nowadays.
Curtain Up
Usually pantomimes begin with a show cloth or front cloth scene with a narrator who kicks off proceedings. The villain might make an appearance, or the principal characters might even drop by too. My advice here is to set the tone. Give them some upbeat or driven play on music and they’ll be off to a flying start.
On with the show!
If you can put these things in place you’re laying the foundations for an excellent evening of entertainment. You’re supporting your cast to get a great reception, and telling the audience they’re in safe hands for the duration of the show.
Got any questions? Or your own ideas on how to begin a pantomime? Drop me a message by getting in touch. I love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
