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Pantomime

National and regional pantomime reviews, panto news and listings for London and across the UK. The Stage reviews more pantomimes than any other national publication.

‘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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Reviews

The Scouse Red Riding Hood review
“Imaginatively bonkers”

The Scouse Red Riding Hood review

Liverpool Royal Court
Raucously rude, enjoyably anarchic adult panto
“Big and energetic”

Jack and the Beanstalk review

Birmingham Hippodrome
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Resources

Useful resources produced by The Stage from throughout the year, plus catch up on the latest episodes of our podcasts.

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
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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Big Interviews

The Stage talks in depth to movers and shakers from across the industry

Most Read

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
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
“A Christmas Carol feels relevant”

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm

Writer
The award-winning writer of Emilia, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, talks about her new version of A Christmas Carol featuring a gender-swapped Scrooge, that fiery speech in Emilia and how pantomime gave her an initial route into playwriting
Sharon D Clarke
“Black Lives Matter has made the arts talk about diversity”

Sharon D Clarke

Actor
Gary Wilmot
“TV left me despondent. Theatre came along and changed my life”

Gary Wilmot

Performer
Julian Clary
“I don’t like Christmas – panto’s the perfect excuse to avoid parties”

Julian Clary

Performer
Clive Rowe
“We need to get new audiences into theatre, no matter which door they use”

Clive Rowe

Most Read

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
VIEW ALL

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
VIEW ALL

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.
Natalie Davis

Natalie Davis

Dancer and choreographer
James Baldwin

James Baldwin

radio and theatremaker
Paul Lawrence-Thomas

Paul Lawrence-Thomas

actor
Leah St Luce

Leah St Luce

Actor
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