Bernard O'Shea: Five things you might not know about panto
Bernard O'Shea as the King in the Sleeping Beauty panto at University Concert Hall, Limerick
For over two centuries, the tradition of pantomime, or "panto," has been delighting audiences of all ages with its unique blend of music, comedy, and interactive theatre. That was until I threw my dusty hat into the ring. This year, I've joined the cast and crew of UCH's "Sleeping Beauty" panto.
From its humble beginnings in the United Kingdom, panto has spread its infectious charm across the globe, including the Emerald Isle. To gain a deeper insight into this cherished form of entertainment, I sat down with Richie Hayes, a seasoned entertainer with a career spanning 24 years. Richie's name has become synonymous with television, theatre, and pantomime, and he's here to reveal five fascinating insights into the world of panto, shedding light on the meticulous planning, diverse skills required, intensive rehearsals, physical demands, and its pivotal role in Ireland's theatrical landscape. "Oh yes, he did" (Apologies, Richie)
Planning starts around February. We always do a review at the end of every run of the panto. What didn't work, and what landed. We're constantly trying to stay up to pace with our audience. The big thing now is that kids are so used to technology that trying to hold their attention in a panto is difficult because you are going back to essentially "old-school entertainment." So we will keep a constant eye on the major trends on TikTok, what toys are the major thing that year, and what computer games are popular, so you're constantly hitting points with them to keep their attention.
There has been a tendency for some in the trade to look down on panto as some silly kids' show or just a Christmas thing. I've had the experience of more serious actors thinking that it's simply all "he's behind you" acting, but after a few days, they get a severe wake-up call. You have to be able to sing, dance and do comedy. Even if you're doing a straight role, it's still comedy. You also have that 4th wall, which is rarely seen in a play, so interacting and improvising with an audience is a must.
Typically, we would do two weeks. It used to be four weeks. Now, because there is so much pre-planning, we can reduce that time. Then we put it on the floor and workshop it for three to five days in the venue. We would have done at least five dress rehearsals and previews by the time we got to our first shows. It is a very intensive, quick process.
The physicality of it is tough, and you really need to look after yourself. Veterans of panto will call it a marathon and a sprint because you're doing two shows a day, and it's relentless because of the energy required. The kids come at you with high energy, so in order to stay with them, you have to match their energy. The response you need from the audience is to pitch it at a certain height. The energy level has to be right, or else the audience won't come with you on that journey. That takes a lot of effort. You also have to hold onto your voice. You're singing for hours every day. If you look at Westend musical performers, some of them have told me if they do eight shows a week, they will live like monks, but they get that time during the day to rest. But with panto, you have a matinee and evening show every day, so there's no time to rest, and you only get two days off (Christmas Eve and day)
It's the industry's most significant source of employment regarding stage shows. It's the time in Ireland when most musical theatre performers are at work simultaneously. We don't have musical theatre to the same business level as they do in the UK. As musical theatre people, we only have opportunities for some of us to work simultaneously. For many musicians, actors, and production people, it's their foundational income for the year.
With its careful planning, multifaceted skill sets, rigorous rehearsals, physical challenges, and significant contribution to the Irish theatre industry. All the performers that take to the stage this Christmas carry the spirit of panto, bridging generations and creating cherished memories that will undoubtedly endure for years to come. "Oh yes, it will!"
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