Week 1

Hugo in Panto-But is it Really Acting? Part Two: No Time for Playing

I’m on the train to Solihull, script in hand, and brimming with excitement. Growing up I was taken to the theatre by my father every Christmas for a pantomime. It was my first interaction with live theatre, and arguably the biggest budget shows I would have seen until I was much older. It felt almost too natural for me to graduate, and then begin with what had inspired me so much to get into the industry of imagination.

Arriving at the Core theatre, posters everywhere, costume rails looks stunning, and even coffee in the corner!! Hehe. Arriving to a room full of focussed and experienced people. It was very exciting. During the read through I’m already in tears due to the cast, I’m glad they’re funny.

I read on the train in that Pantomime is one of, if not the only truly British folk art. The combination of music and dancing, the roles of the characters with the audience, the structure. Al the same things as dissecting a Shakespeare. It’s strange when you’re rehearsing it, as if a young Samurai must feel surrounded by skilled ancient masters, I’m in the presence of panto masters (note I've dropped the ancient).  I feel like I’ve left my training behind and started all over again. But this time round, it’s a lot less stress, and much more fun.

I was hoping to write this on the first day but my naivety shone. Each day consisting of a mix of; blocking, learning a new song/dance, going over a learnt one, fittings, and so on. There’s no let up. I think that’s part of why I’m loving it so much, yes it’s whimsical and eccentric, but there very little between this and performing Shakespeare, bit more glitter and better songs.

End of week one.

@SolihullPanto

@coretheatresol

www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

www.littlewolfentertainment.co.uk