As I write this, today's matinee audience are still leaving the theatre and there's just five more performances of Robin Hood to go.
We've announced today that over 120,000 people will have come to see the show by the time it ends on Sunday (1 Feb) and £2.5 million taken at the box office. This has broken the previous two panto's.
Despite what's happening with the credit crunch generally, it does seem that people really do want to spend money on something that will cheer them up and pantomime obviously provides that. Especially when you have a brilliant cast led by the fantastic, fantastic, fantastic John Barrowman and our very own Don Maclean and of course Paul Zerdin who has been such a hit with our audiences this year.
I've been knocking on a few dressing room doors to say goodbye to people today, it's always sad when a panto season comes to an end as the theatre staff and the panto company become one big theatre family.
We had our pantomime party last night in the theatre and there were quite a few tears and goodbye's at the end of it.
I'm told that our other panto favourite Brian Conley will be in on Sunday to watch the show together with a few other famous panto faces - so that will be a nice ending to a great season.
But hey ho in the magical land of pantomime it won't be long before we'll be announcing the stars of Snow White - I wonder who it will be this year?
Oh I hope it's ... now that would be telling.
Happy panto going.
Signing off.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Laughter is the best medicine
One of the things I love about pantomime is standing at the back of the stalls at the beginning of the show and listening to the laughter coming from the audience and watching families have a really great time.
There's a sea of wands and flashing lights all around and it just provides a gentle reminder that this is what theatre is all about, good solid entertainment and the chance to escape the doom and gloom which is hanging over us all at the moment.
So it was really great to hear that through donations from the general public and local companies we've managed to enable over 500 patients and their families share this very British tradition. Thanks to everyone who donated to our Panto Appeal these children and there families will be able to have a break from what can be a very stressful time at hospital and for a few hours, at least, join in and have some fun. The children will also have the chance to meet some of the cast who will be dashing off stage after curtain down to say hello. So thank you for helping.
If you want to donate to our 2009/10 panto there's more information on our website www.birminghamhippodrome.com
There's a sea of wands and flashing lights all around and it just provides a gentle reminder that this is what theatre is all about, good solid entertainment and the chance to escape the doom and gloom which is hanging over us all at the moment.
So it was really great to hear that through donations from the general public and local companies we've managed to enable over 500 patients and their families share this very British tradition. Thanks to everyone who donated to our Panto Appeal these children and there families will be able to have a break from what can be a very stressful time at hospital and for a few hours, at least, join in and have some fun. The children will also have the chance to meet some of the cast who will be dashing off stage after curtain down to say hello. So thank you for helping.
If you want to donate to our 2009/10 panto there's more information on our website www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Access
We had our audio described performance of Robin Hood earlier this week. Jonathan Nash and Margaret Spittles, our describers, sit in a booth at the back of the circle and describe the action on stage for those people in our audience who are blind or visually impaired. Before the curtain went up though, we ran a small touch tour on the set of Robin Hood. It gave our patrons the chance to meet some of the pantomime wardrobe department who had brought with them some beautiful costumes from the show. They described the material and style and went over some of the set too. It's always nice to meet our patrons this way and to be able to get them to meet the people behind the scenes of a big show like this.
Tomorrow (Friday) we have a special schools matinee which is being signed as well as described. You'll be able to see our signer Clare Edwards on stage if you are attending and don't forget to look at the back of the stalls to see if you can spot Jonathan and Margaret busy describing too.
Tomorrow (Friday) we have a special schools matinee which is being signed as well as described. You'll be able to see our signer Clare Edwards on stage if you are attending and don't forget to look at the back of the stalls to see if you can spot Jonathan and Margaret busy describing too.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Our Christmas party!
The start of the pantomime season is a very busy time for everyone at the theatre over the festive season so our Christmas party was held last night.
We have a great new bar and bistro now (opposite our Stage Door) called, appropriately, StageSide so the party was held there. Staff finish work at different times here so technical and front of house staff arrived after curtain down and we were all pleased that the panto cast came across after the show too. Our Sheriff of Nottingham, Peter Gallagher, was strutting his stuff on the dance floor and Paul Zerdin (Will Scarlett) was chatting away to theatre staff by the buffet table. And it was great to see the brilliant dancers and singers from the show livening up the dance floor to Abba and Grease tunes - always a pull for any theatrical!
We hold a raffle at our Christmas party. All the money raised last night will be donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital Cancer Ward - am pleased to say we've nearly reach our target - fantastic!
Party over though - it's all hands on deck front of house for today's matinee at 2pm - there's no business like showbusiness!
We have a great new bar and bistro now (opposite our Stage Door) called, appropriately, StageSide so the party was held there. Staff finish work at different times here so technical and front of house staff arrived after curtain down and we were all pleased that the panto cast came across after the show too. Our Sheriff of Nottingham, Peter Gallagher, was strutting his stuff on the dance floor and Paul Zerdin (Will Scarlett) was chatting away to theatre staff by the buffet table. And it was great to see the brilliant dancers and singers from the show livening up the dance floor to Abba and Grease tunes - always a pull for any theatrical!
We hold a raffle at our Christmas party. All the money raised last night will be donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital Cancer Ward - am pleased to say we've nearly reach our target - fantastic!
Party over though - it's all hands on deck front of house for today's matinee at 2pm - there's no business like showbusiness!
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you all!
Can you believe it, Christmas and New Year over and John Barrowman and cast have already performed Robin Hood 30 times to date. This means that thousands of people from all over the country have made the journey to Birmingham Hippodrome - including Adam Woodyatt who plays Ian Beale in BBC1's Eastenders! He was spotted in the stalls recently - I wonder if the new Dr Who will make a visit?
Backstage, Wardrobe Supervisor Tony Priestly was on hand with needle and thread. Paul Zerdin (Will Scarlett) had split one of his costumes just minutes before curtain up, Tony rushed to the wings to help out and managed to temporarily repair it before Paul's cue. phew!
And Happy Birthday Harry Smith who plays Mutch the Miller's son. He celebrated his 18th birthday this week. The cast organised a special cake and presents on stage before going out after the show.
Oh and did you know that Robin Hood first appeared in Babes In The Wood in 1867 as the character who rescues the babes from their fate.
Can you believe it, Christmas and New Year over and John Barrowman and cast have already performed Robin Hood 30 times to date. This means that thousands of people from all over the country have made the journey to Birmingham Hippodrome - including Adam Woodyatt who plays Ian Beale in BBC1's Eastenders! He was spotted in the stalls recently - I wonder if the new Dr Who will make a visit?
Backstage, Wardrobe Supervisor Tony Priestly was on hand with needle and thread. Paul Zerdin (Will Scarlett) had split one of his costumes just minutes before curtain up, Tony rushed to the wings to help out and managed to temporarily repair it before Paul's cue. phew!
And Happy Birthday Harry Smith who plays Mutch the Miller's son. He celebrated his 18th birthday this week. The cast organised a special cake and presents on stage before going out after the show.
Oh and did you know that Robin Hood first appeared in Babes In The Wood in 1867 as the character who rescues the babes from their fate.
Friday, 19 December 2008
Well here we are - Robin Hood opens tonight - can you believe it!
Paul Elliott the Director came up to the offices this morning and said the dress rehearsal was perfect last night - and what a great company they are.
The company will be doing another dress rehearsal this afternoon before the curtain goes up at 7.15pm so a few of us here will have the chance to see the production for the first time - what a nice way to end the week - hissing and booing and singing along with John Barrowman!
It's always really busy backstage on days like this but really exciting - and of course it's even busier for our front of house staff as they prepare to open the doors later to just under 2,000 panto goers.
I always like the atmosphere in our foyer on the first night of pantomime - it's great to see lots of families starting off christmas with a visit to a great British tradition.
Tomorrow is press night so keep a look out for the reviews over the next few days.
Paul Elliott the Director came up to the offices this morning and said the dress rehearsal was perfect last night - and what a great company they are.
The company will be doing another dress rehearsal this afternoon before the curtain goes up at 7.15pm so a few of us here will have the chance to see the production for the first time - what a nice way to end the week - hissing and booing and singing along with John Barrowman!
It's always really busy backstage on days like this but really exciting - and of course it's even busier for our front of house staff as they prepare to open the doors later to just under 2,000 panto goers.
I always like the atmosphere in our foyer on the first night of pantomime - it's great to see lots of families starting off christmas with a visit to a great British tradition.
Tomorrow is press night so keep a look out for the reviews over the next few days.
Monday, 15 December 2008
When most of the country is getting into the xmas spirit and winding down for the holiday season theatre's are building up to their busiest time of the year. So yesterday's day off from rehearsal was probably very welcome for the panto cast and provided a chance to get in some last minute xmas shopping - let's hope they got what they wanted.
Today saw the first run through of Robin Hood and the rehearsal of a very special piece of magic involving John Barrowman. It all looked pretty impressive and will look 'fantastic, fantastic, fantastic' on stage.
Pantomime wouldn't be complete without mentioning two very good friends of the theatre - Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins - the best panto Dame's in the business. They have performed many times here and are over at Nottingham with Brian Conley and getting some great reviews. It's worth checking out their brilliant website www.its-behind-you.com - a wealth of panto history and even some incredible early panto footage.
The sets for Robin Hood have all arrived now and the stage is looking pretty busy at the moment. I'm told that the ice rink is being put in tomorrow - can't wait to see that.
Titan our gigantic robot is awesome - he's got an amazing following - kids seem to love him and to be honest I think the dads will be pretty impressed too.
Four days until opening - !!!!
Today saw the first run through of Robin Hood and the rehearsal of a very special piece of magic involving John Barrowman. It all looked pretty impressive and will look 'fantastic, fantastic, fantastic' on stage.
Pantomime wouldn't be complete without mentioning two very good friends of the theatre - Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins - the best panto Dame's in the business. They have performed many times here and are over at Nottingham with Brian Conley and getting some great reviews. It's worth checking out their brilliant website www.its-behind-you.com - a wealth of panto history and even some incredible early panto footage.
The sets for Robin Hood have all arrived now and the stage is looking pretty busy at the moment. I'm told that the ice rink is being put in tomorrow - can't wait to see that.
Titan our gigantic robot is awesome - he's got an amazing following - kids seem to love him and to be honest I think the dads will be pretty impressed too.
Four days until opening - !!!!
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