“New Brighton Magic”: Behind the scenes of the new Floral Pavilion Panto

The excitement is building towards the opening night of this year’s incredible classic Pantomime ‘The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook’ at the Floral Pavilion.

With tickets available now – many from just £15 – it is a fantastic Christmas experience for all the family to enjoy together, starting from Friday December 6.

The Panto features an incredible TV & West End cast starring Tom Lister, Sean Jones, Holly Atterton, and Danny Colligan who will be wowing the audiences from the stage day after day over the festive season.

But behind the scenes there is an incredible amount of work which started almost a year ago. 

Here you can find out what it takes – and what are the secret ingredients for a successful panto – from Amy, the stage manager, who is responsible for bringing this incredible production to the well-worn boards of New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion.

Name, Job Title and role in bringing panto to New Brighton: 
Amy Wildgoose, Company & Stage Manager.
It’s my job to be at the centre of communication and be the link between the Producers (UK Productions), the team at the floral and the team on the ground making the show such as the cast, crew and creatives. Me and my team of stage management are here to facilitate the creative vision and make sure the show happens ares it is envisaged! 

How does it feel as you arrive for the start of rehearsals: 
Exciting! There are some people I’ve worked with before and am thrilled to be working with again, and some I’m very pleased to meet and work with for the first time. 

How much time has been spent already on this production eg when does the work start: 
The work starts for UK Productions before the show starts for the previous year! So work started for this show in November 2023, if not before then. For my role I have had two days to prep before starting in the rehearsal room, so it’s all pretty new to me right now but part of being involved with a pantomime like this is being skilled at learning fast!

What kinds of things are you thinking about when you first arrive at the theatre ahead of rehearsal starting: 
The kinds of things I’m thinking on day 1 are mostly practical: does everyone know where they are meeting, what’s the schedule for the day and making sure we stick to it, where can everyone make a cup of tea and use the loo! From then on when everyone knows what they’re doing and where they’re going I can then dig into the more creative side of my work and get my head around the set and props logistics. 

How does this compare to other productions eg in terms of turnaround for rehearsals: 

Usually to make a new show of this scale you’d spend three to six weeks in a rehearsal room, before going onto the stage. We have eight days on this! The difference is however that even though there were brand new elements to this show and some people haven’t done it before, the show itself exists so we just need to piece it back together again like a big, glitter covered jigsaw and add some New Brighton Magic! 

Talk us through some of the other things that have to be done before now and the opening night: 
The cast will learn all the choreography, lines, blocking and music and then we will put it all together to do a “studio” run which is a full run in the rehearsal room without any scenery or costumes. In the meantime the set is being built in the theatre, the lights and speakers rigged, and all the props and costume being allocated a space and making that it all works. 

The first time the whole company get together is at the “sitz probe” or first band call when we hear the whole show sung through with the band for the first time. We will then have a few days of “technical rehearsals” where we add more pieces to our jigsaw, and plot in all the lights, sound, video, scenery and technical elements. After a couple of dress rehearsals we’re then ready to open. Phew!

Is there a big team behind the scenes? Who is involved? 
On my brilliant stage management team there are six of us. We also have a fabulous wardrobe team, stage crew including a flyman and sound and lighting technicians. It’s a big team that ensures the show runs smoothly and safely each performance. Some people are freelance and brought in by the producers and some people are from the Floral Pavilion team. 

How does it feel to be at the Floral Pavilion and at the sea side, is it an area you know?

It’s brilliant being here for Christmas. I live in Liverpool so it’s a treat to go home to my own bed every night! I love the sea side and am hoping to get lots of sea front runs and maybe even a few dips….brrr. 

Ingredients to a good panto:
Glitter. Catchy songs. Tom Lister. 

Tell us how you feel as opening nights get closer: 
Christmassy!

You can book tickets online now: 

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan - The Return of Captain Hook - Floral Pavilion