Well, the 2023/24 Boscastle panto is now over, or as we should say, “It’s behind You!”. Another sell out run (I think in the end there was one Thursday ticket unsold) enthusiastically received by upwards of 400 locals over the five performances.
At the end of last year’s panto I was asked if I would direct the next show, so I set about writing a new script for Dick Whittington and his Cat giving it a Cornish slant and the necessary Boscastle twist! Boscastle pantos are not like shows you might see elsewhere, they may start out as a traditional panto but the ebd up as a riotous collaboration between the script, cast and the audience on the night!
Starting in September with a read-through and weekly rehearsals, moving to twice weekly rehearsals in early November we quickly had the bones of a great show which came together rapidly after the Christmas break and burst on to the stage when we had our opening night last week – it seems like an age ago now!
Although this was a new script, and avoided travelling to London, all of the traditional elements were there; plenty of audience participation, slap-stick, jokes worthy of a Christmas cracker for the kids and innuendo for the adults. – all the things that make a “proper panto”. Audience reaction and comments seem to say that we had a hit!
Of course, it takes an huge number of people to get the panto up and running. It is not just the eighteen cast members but also the costume and prop department, set designers and painters, front-of-house, bar, stage management, lighting, sound, administration, finance and direction. Then there are all those local businesses and companies that provide raffle prizes, sponsorship, ticket sales and beer – all of whom help to make the nights special.
So, do you fancy being a part of next year’s endeavour? Watch out for announcements about the read-through and audition date in early September and come along – it really is an amazing experience however you are involved and it is all in support of the amazing space that is the Boscastle Village Hall.
