A Show-Stopping Panto: Top Tips for a Smooth Rehearsal
As the nights grow longer with the festive season on the horizon, amateur theatre groups up and down the country are gearing up for one of the highlights of the year – panto season! A rich part of British tradition, pantomimes offer plenty of fun for audiences and performers alike. But behind the scenes, a lot of work goes into making sure the show is as magical as possible.
Whether you’re performing in a village hall or a local theatre, preparation is key. Here are some tips to help make your rehearsals run as smooth as a swish of fairy godmother’s wand, so your group can shine when the curtain goes up.
Picking the Right Script
Choose a script that fits the strengths of your group, if you have a lot of strong singers opt for a panto with more musical numbers. If your cast is more experienced with comedy, look for something with lots of slapstick humour. Make sure to check the script for flexibility – different scripts will allow permission for different levels of customisation.
If you need to make script changes to adjust the number of characters in the play or tweak scenes to fit your cast’s strengths – make sure the script, and the script writer allow it. This is helpful for theatre groups with varied skill sets.
Start with a Strong Plan
The more organised you are from the outset, the smoother rehearsals will be. Start by mapping out a rehearsal schedule that gives plenty of time for each scene, and make sure you include time for those all-important musical numbers. After all, it’s often the songs that stay in the audience’s heads long after the final bows!
Focus on Teamwork
Pantos are all about community spirit, so ensure everyone feels involved, from the leading actors to the backstage crew. Assign roles early and encourage collaboration, whether it’s working on choreography, learning lines, or setting up props. A united team behind the scenes helps bring the performance to life on stage.
Warm Up Those Voices
Group singing is often a big part of pantomime. Make sure to build in time for vocal warm-ups at every rehearsal to protect voices and ensure everyone hits the high notes when it counts.
And don’t overlook your ensemble! They might not have large speaking roles, but the chorus or ensemble is important for setting the overall energy of the show. Make sure everyone feels included, particularly those younger and less experienced performers – they can add so much fun and vibrancy to a performance with the right direction!
Perfecting the Music
Music is at the heart of any great pantomime, setting the tone and adding to the energy of the show. Many scripts will recommend popular songs or even custom pieces, and this is where the magic happens.
While many groups focus on performance licences, it’s easy to overlook one important detail—using sheet music and lyrics properly. Rehearsing with photocopied sheet music is common, but did you know that copying music without the right licence could lead to legal issues? Ensuring you have proper permissions, whether directly from the relevant publisher or with an Amateur Group Singing Licence, allows you to legally photocopy individual pieces of sheet music for rehearsals, so your group can focus on hitting the right notes without any worries.
Only using the lyrics from easy-access free internet sites? If you’re taking lyrics from anywhere you should still reach out to the publisher for their permission to use their lyrics – this way fees will end up going back to the writers and composers of the music.
Create a Rehearsal-Friendly Space
A positive, comfortable environment makes all the difference in rehearsals. Make sure there’s enough space for the cast to move, dance, and sing freely. Keeping the room well-organised with clear areas for props, costumes, and music sheets helps everyone stay focused.
Have Fun!
Most importantly, remember that panto is about fun—for the cast, crew, and the audience. Keep the energy high, enjoy the process, and encourage creativity. A joyful rehearsal room will translate into a joyful performance on stage.
Final Thoughts
The festive season is fast approaching. By staying organised, working as a team, and ensuring you have all the right resources (including legal access to music), your group will be ready to put on a show-stopping panto that will leave your audience cheering “Oh yes they did!”. So, don’t forget to dot your i’s and cross your t’s when it comes to music licensing—it’s one less thing to worry about, and it allows you to concentrate on creating magic on stage.
Here’s to a fantastic panto season!
