Having worked as Front of House Supervisor at the Gaiety since 2021, I feel lucky to have witnessed the magic of so many shows, but experiencing the annual panto season up close is particularly special. At this time of year the theatre transforms, buzzing with energy and excitement from children and families as everyone gets in the festive spirit – it’s just a unique atmosphere.
Teamwork
Joel, our Customer Experience Supervisor, and I are often the first faces you'll see when you visit the Gaiety. However, what people won’t see is the extensive teamwork and communications across multiple teams that is vital for the smooth running of each show. We work closely with the technical and staging team, cleaning team, box office and marketing and of course all of our dedicated volunteers. A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into making each show a success.
A Typical Panto Day
There isn’t really a "typical" day in Panto – the day starts well before the curtain rises! Pre-show there are key tasks which must be undertaken daily such as the checking of staff rotas, dealing with any staffing changes such as unplanned absences, re-setting/ cleaning the auditorium and all public areas and coordinating with the Box Office for any special requests or last-minute changes. There’s also ensuring the kiosk and bars are fully stocked and doing the essential maintenance and health and safety checks prior to public entry.
Panto requires us to work closely with the production team, this year the team from Stage-ed, to accommodate requests, handle merchandise queries and address any operational issues. But it’s the unplanned events that make the days more interesting. These can range from people turning up for the wrong show or wrong time, seat changes or children over-indulging on ice cream and sweets and needing a quick escape! The team and I have to remain reactive as you never know what the day is going to bring - but this is all part of the ride that is panto.
What Makes Panto So Special
What really makes panto special for me is seeing families from different generations - from children to grandparents coming together for a shared experience at Christmas. It’s often a first theatre experience for many, and to play a small part in that is a real privilege.
From a personal level, it’s the relationships that are formed throughout the panto season that make it unique. It may sound a bit cheesy, but everyone involved becomes one big family given all the time we spend with each other. From the staff to the production team and the cast, we literally live and breathe panto throughout December, with everyone working together to make it the best possible experience for the audience.
Most Memorable Moment
There are so many standout moments from my time working panto at the Gaiety over the years, but one moment from last year stands out. A young boy, Charley, won a competition for tickets to see Aladdin with his family and came to the theatre to collect his prize from the Mayor. The Dame and Princess were also there and Charley was absolutely mesmerised by everything. Jolyon Dixon, who played Widow Twankey and is starring as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington this year, went out of his way to make sure Charley’s experience was unforgettable, even arranging for Charley to go up on stage and treating him to sweet treats during the performance. In the midst of the chaos, moments like this are a reminder of what makes panto so special.
On a personal note, bringing my 3-year-old daughter Bella to the panto last year was a moment I’ll always cherish. Seeing her face light up with excitement throughout the show was incredible. We understand it can be nerve-wracking for parents to bring young children to a show especially in a theatre setting, not knowing if they will stay engaged throughout, but there’s not that same worry with panto, kids can get excited and are encouraged to join in. From the moment you arrive, the energy and fun is infectious and everyone just seems to be in a happy / festive mood.
The relaxed performances are also great as they offer a chance for families to experience the show in a more relaxed environment.
Experiencing Panto Through the Customer's Eyes
It’s great experiencing panto through the eyes of a customer, getting to enjoy different parts of each performance. It gives me a new level of appreciation for what we do behind the scenes to make it show ready. Every year, I look forward to the unpredictability and magic that unfolds, both on stage and behind the curtains.
Thank you
In what is our busiest time of the year at the theatre, I can’t finish without thanking everyone in our teams who enable panto to happen. A special thank you to our FOGS (Friends of the Gaiety Theatre) who volunteer their time throughout December and the whole year to ensure our shows are able to run safely and smoothly.
If you are interested in volunteering then please do get in touch, we’d love to welcome you to chat about what being a volunteer involves. VGVolunteers@gov.im