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‘Cut the story down to its bare bones, then pump it full of jokes’: how to write a hit pantomime

‘Cut the story down to its bare bones, then pump it full of jokes’: how to write a hit pantomime

Long Reads
What’s the secret to a good pantomime script? From eliciting boos and hisses from audiences of all ages, to making sure there are enough local jokes and updating old stories for today, Holly Williams hears from playwrights tackling their first pantos and veterans who pen several every year about how they keep the tradition alive

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Here & Now review
“Rebecca Lock brings the house down”

Here & Now review

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Frothy, camp jukebox musical that delivers just what its audience wants
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Opinion

Lyn Gardner
by Lyn Gardner

The National Theatre’s cut to its school touring scheme is damaging to theatre – and children

The National Theatre’s 100% cut to its live touring to primary schools is a huge own goal at a time when the industry needs to show the government the key role it has to play in supporting the arts in education
David Benedict
by David Benedict

Call me Scrooge, but this over-told tale is so rarely done well

Year after year of stale stagings of Dickens’ Christmas classic highlight the difficulty of instilling dramatic tension into a story that we all know so well

Editor's View

by Alistair Smith

What can theatre learn from the campaign for grassroots music venues?

This week Alistair Smith discusses what he has discovered on his UK tour so far
Which stereotypes about theatre folk are true?

Which stereotypes about theatre folk are true?

The Green Room
Welcome to our weekly discussion forum for key issues facing those working in theatre and the performing arts. This week, we ask our panellists which stereotypes about their jobs are true?
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Robert Icke

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Emma Rice

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Antonio Pappano

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Francesca Moody

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Actor

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Chief executive, Society of London Theatre/UK Theatre

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Jamie Wilson
“We’ve had three new musicals in the West End this year – we’ve only just begun”

Jamie Wilson

Producer
He began his career touring an Edinburgh show. Now, Jamie Wilson is among the West End’s most prolific producers, with some of Theatreland’s biggest film-to-stage adaptations to his name. As he prepares to launch The Devil Wears Prada musical in London, he tells Matthew Hemley about his story so far and his ambitious plans for the future
Max Webster
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Max Webster

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Charlie Bunker and Gabby Vautier
“Sometimes it feels as if we are on Dragons’ Den every day”

Charlie Bunker and Gabby Vautier

Kate McGrath
“I’m excited by artists, but also by audiences and their potential”

Kate McGrath

Producer
Timberlake Wertenbaker
“Writing is an optimistic act. Why would you do it otherwise?”

Timberlake Wertenbaker

Playwright

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Robert Icke

Director

Emma Rice

Director

Antonio Pappano

Conductor and music director

Francesca Moody

Producer

Matthew Bourne

Choreographer

Johnny Flynn

Actor

Elizabeth McGovern

Actor

Sutton Foster

Performer

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Actor

Julian Bird

Chief executive, Society of London Theatre/UK Theatre

Nancy Carroll

Actor

Adam Cooper

Dancer
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Long Reads

‘Cut the story down to its bare bones, then pump it full of jokes’: how to write a hit pantomime

‘Cut the story down to its bare bones, then pump it full of jokes’: how to write a hit pantomime

by Holly Williams
What’s the secret to a good pantomime script? From eliciting boos and hisses from audiences of all ages, to making sure there are enough local jokes and updating old stories for today, Holly Williams hears from playwrights tackling their first pantos and veterans who pen several every year about how they keep the tradition alive
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Features

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Panto Special 2024

Panto Special 2024

by The Stage
As the festive season begins and theatres around the UK prepare for their busiest time of the year, we delve into the world of panto in our annual special, sponsored by Crossroads Pantomimes. Here are some of the highlights:
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Q&A

Interviews with established and emerging theatremakers working on stage and behind the scenes in UK theatre and beyond.
Syrus Lowe 

Syrus Lowe 

Actor and role-play expert
Laura Ford 

Laura Ford 

Artistic director
Jessica Talbot-Smith

Jessica Talbot-Smith

show director
Marie-Astrid Mence

Marie-Astrid Mence

dancer
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