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.
When I watched pantomimes at Exeter Northcott Theatre growing up, I always felt like they were made especially for us. That’s because they were – the sets were painted just down the road and carefully carried up the hill to the theatre by the dedicated crew. That feeling was carried throughout the show with resident pantomime dame Steve Bennett ad-libbing and orchestrating brilliantly organised chaos throughout.
Giving your script a local feel helps to engage audience members, it makes them feel that the production was made with them in mind. It will also get some of the biggest laughs of the evening. It even encourages community spirit, and cohesion.
After all, pantomime is often considered a sort of ‘year book’, it highlights the year gone, and celebrates the end of it ushering in the new year in January.
References
Local references is one of the best ways to give your script a local feeling. Across my pantomime scripts I include references for *Nearby Town* or *Local Supermarket* or *Local Pub* allowing you to insert your preferred reference point. After all, you know what is most likely to entertain your audience!
There is also the old favourite “We’ll be waiting longer than it’s taken at *Local Roadworks*” style joke which always goes down well. Not to forget “That will be more difficult than parking at *Local Parking*”.
Best of all is the reference to a nearby town, city or area. It may be a long standing rivalry like there is between Devon and Cornwall. Or it may just be that the town happens to be next door. Either way, it’s sure to get a big laugh at the butt of a joke. For example, the evil Queen in Snow White might say “I’m searching for somewhere Snow White could be hiding. Somewhere dark, and disgusting.” and a helpful aide might reply “Not *Nearby Town*!”
A word of warning here, that in times gone by poorer or more run-down areas have been referenced and used as a punchline. I would caution against this as it’s often based on classist narratives which can be unhelpful and divisive. Punching down is always something worth keeping an eye out for. Whereas punching up can often get the bigger laugh. For example “Look at her, she’s as posh as the Tesla drivers in *upmarket area*”.
Landmarks
Local landmarks often make their way into scripts. Perhaps Jim Hawkins sets off from your nearest seaside town in Treasure Island. Or maybe Dick Whittington sets off from your performance venue to seek fame and fortune in London. I wrote recently about adapting my Robin Hood script for Honiton Community Theatre Company who wanted a hyper-local script to present.
Tourist attractions often provide useful spots to mention. Think Plymouth’s famous lighthouse on the hoe, or The London Eye. The Angel of the North. You get the idea.
Pop Culture
When you think about pop culture in pantomime you often get the names of celebrities, well known characters and politicians thrown into the mix.
Sometimes celebrities are in the news for some lurid reasons which I tend to steer clear of as a writer. However figures that are well loved or love to be hated tend to make good candidates here. For example a panto villain might state “I’m so evil, I make Simon Cowell look like a nice guy.” Or a fairy could exclaim “You can trust me, I’m best mates with Mother Teresa.”
It’s all about finding the reference points that will hit for most of your audience. The best thing about these references is that they can even change throughout the run. If it only gets a smattering of laughter, try switching it up. You might be surprised at the comedy you find!
Politics
Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024 was a relief for pantomime writers up and down the country. Finally a political figure that the clear majority of British audiences dislike. In my Aladdin script Trump features as the butt (quite literally) of a joked themed underwear that Twankey has recently washed.
At a time of division in national politics, I’d advise against picking figures who are not so clearly universally disliked because you are likely to disengage at least 40% of your audience. However if there is a proven political scandal or a local politician who is in the news, they can often be fair game.
Another reference available to you which is often adjacent to politics is any long-running feuds between local campaign groups. The best references here are often planning developments which are controversial. These large scale developments or public infrastructure policies can stretch on for years and garner widespread public awareness which make them ripe for the picking as the perfect punchline.
Summary
If you can fit one or two of each of the above into your chosen script, you’ll have the audience on your side and laughing in the aisles. As we know, pantomime tickets are often bought on the success of the previous year, so the more your audience laughs, the better time they remember having and the more likely they are to buy tickets in future.
