Pantomime photography at the Abbey Theatre St Albans
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 at event photographer St Albans & Hertfordshire.
Q&A
Where was this pantomime photographed?
At the Abbey Theatre in St Albans, during one of their panto seasons a few years back. It’s a great venue for this kind of shoot, the set and lighting rig give you a lot to work with.
What’s it like photographing a live theatre rehearsal like this?
Unpredictable, in the best way. I sat in the audience seats while the lighting technicians tested each scene, and the light shifted constantly, cool blues, warm oranges, glowing greens, moving around the set and between performers. Nothing was staged for the camera, so I had to shoot fast and trust my timing rather than wait for a “perfect” moment that might not come round twice.
Do you photograph performers in costume, or just candid backstage shots?
Both. I take portraits of the cast in full costume before and after they go on stage, alongside candid, behind the scenes shots of makeup, costume changes and the quieter moments between run throughs. The portraits capture the character, the backstage images capture the person underneath it and the teamwork holding the whole production together.
How far in advance does a panto production get rehearsed?
Further than most people realise. Rehearsals and script readings for this production started as early as September, building through dress runs, lighting checks and staging adjustments right through to the December performances.
Can you photograph theatre productions, rehearsals and community events like this one?
Yes, this kind of stage, rehearsal and backstage photography sits within the same event photography I do across St Albans and Hertfordshire, everything from theatre and panto to sport and corporate events. If you’re planning a production or event and want it properly documented, have a look at my event photographer St Albans & Hertfordshire page, or get in touch to discuss your brief.