Oh no, it isn’t, oh yes, I think you’ll find it is!

Panto season is here.

All together…

… Oh no it’s not, oh yes it is.

A few years ago, I had the chance to photograph one of the UK’s most joyful traditions, a panto at the St Albans Abbey Theatre. Even now, I still look back at those images with a smile. It was a colourful mix of organised chaos, classic panto gags and wonderfully terrible jokes that somehow made the whole experience even better.

Photographing the action from the audience seats

During the rehearsals, I sat in the audience seats, capturing the cast as the lighting technicians tested each scene. It was anything but predictable. The lights shifted constantly from cool blues to warm oranges to glowing greens, moving around the set and darting between performers. One second, everything looked perfect; the next, it changed again. I had to shoot fast and trust my timing. When I caught the light at just the right moment, the images were worth every shuffle in my seat. And yes, at least once, I whispered “it’s behind you” to a rogue lighting cue that caught me out.

Below are some images from on-stage and the dressing rooms.

Portraits packed with character

I also had the opportunity to take portraits of the cast in full costume before and after they stepped on stage. These sessions were brilliant. I wanted to capture a mix of the performers’ personalities and the characters they were bringing to life, and panto costumes always help set the tone. From larger-than-life expressions to quiet, thoughtful moments, those portraits remain some of my favourites.

Below is a set of portraits I took of some of the main panto characters held at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans.

Backstage moments you don’t usually see

Some of the most atmospheric images came from backstage. I captured the cast getting their makeup done, putting on costumes, adjusting wigs, trying to squeeze into too-tight tights, and sharing a laugh during those small moments before the next run-through. There is something magical about candid backstage photography. It shows the heart of the production, away from the spotlight, and gives a sense of the teamwork that holds a panto together.

A long build-up to the festive season

One thing I hadn’t appreciated until then was how long a panto takes to prepare. Rehearsals and script readings begin as early as September, and by the time December arrives, it turns into a full-on schedule of run-throughs, dress band practices, lighting checks and staging adjustments. Watching it all unfold was a show of its own. Directors refined scenes, actors improvised when lines went missing, props were moved, then moved again, and of course, every classic panto gag was tested and polished.

A lasting appreciation for panto magic

Lets be avin you. No messing with these officers on the beat.

Photographing that panto production gave me a new respect for the effort, creativity and teamwork that make a pantomime sparkle. Looking back at the portraits, backstage moments and on-stage rehearsals, I can still feel the energy of those festive weeks. It was a privilege to be part of it, even from behind the camera.

If you enjoy local theatre, community arts or simply a touch of seasonal nostalgia, these photos still capture the spirit of what makes panto such a treasured tradition. Oh yes it does… OK, I’ll stop now…

Check out more incredible event photographs here.