What’s the Story? My Panto Success Part 1

Way back in December 2010 I was helping out as Production Assistant on the Quince Players Pantomime ‘Aladdin’. It was a lot of work and I spent much of my time listening to and helping one rather stressed Director (I took over the role of Director come stress-head the following year!!).

Anyway, just before the Panto opened in January 2011, the guy playing Inspector Li Li Law damaged his cruciate ligament and couldn’t go on so with only 24 hours to learn all the lines and comedy falls the Director asked me to step in! That day I did all I could to learn the lines, get the moves and know my cues. The day of opening night I was up at 3am learning because the adrenaline had kicked in so very early.

That evening I was a bundle of nerves. I got ready and waited in the wings with my trusty scooter and flashing police helmet! The stage crew stood with script in hand ready to prompt me as I made my first entrance. They had nothing to worry about! I went out there and nailed it! I remember coming back off after my first scene and seeing the stage crew standing there open-mouthed :).

At the end of the run, the lovely cast and crew bought me a very special bottle of champagne. I was chuffed to bits and knew from that point on that you really can achieve anything if you put your mind to it!

This Panto was also where I met Ross. He used to have to announce my name every night – little did I know at that stage where we would end up.

Linking up to the lovely Charly over at PODcast grappling with a box of frogs and her new linky ‘What’s the story?’