Discovery Zone - Behind The Scenes

The Pantomime has long been an important Christmas tradition and a huge team effort is needed to bring the magic of the show to the stage. Find out more about creating the production, learn about set and costume designs, take a look inside rehearsals for this year's show and explore our Pantomime archive..

Pantomime at The Hexagon

The Hexagon has been entertaining audiences with our Pantomime and Christmas shows for over 40 years! Click on the gallery to explore the archive and see how many shows you can remember.

Hexagon Pantomimes 1981 to 1998 Hexagon Pantomime 1998 to 2010 Hexagon Pantomimes 2010 to 2024

Local Archives

Of course its not just the Hexagon, many professional and amateur groups were presenting pantomimes in the area long before we even opened.  Our friends at the Royal Berkshire Archives hold some fascinating records from Wokingham Theatre's 1963 production of Dick Whittington including the original watercolour costume designs, photographs and even the full script.  Click the link below to learn more about this special show for Wokingham Theatre, the first to take place at their brand new venue in Norreys Avenue.

https://royalberkshirearchives.org.uk/news/article/panto-season 

Costume design from the archives Royal Berkshire Archives Logo

Behind The Scenes

Set Design

The design of the set is a very important part of the production. Several scene changes can take place during a show and sets need to look good, be easy to move and allow the performers and crew enough space to move around - even in the dark! 

Panto Sets are colourful, full of magic and larger than life. The set can help transport the audience to a different time and place, anywhere you can imagine, from a fairy tale castle to a shop sailing on the ocean waves.

Designers create scale models to help design and plan the production in detail. 

Technology has transformed production design and our new state of the art digital set allows the designers even more opportunities to create a dazzling imaginative world where anything can happen.  Here's a little peak behind the scenes of our digital sets.  

The design starts with rough ideas and sketches 3D paper models and sketches are used to plan every element of the set The next stage is a construction drawing showing the dimensions and materials. This is the construction drawing for the two bush 'flats' you can see either side of the castle door. Traditional sets and props are finished and hand painted in the workshop but this year we have a brand new digital set The digital set is just as bright and colourful as ever Digital screens allow the designers to create stunning effects and change scenes in a flash

Costume Design

Costumes are a big part of any pantomime and like the shows they are bright, colourful and lots of fun!  Click on the gallery to find out more…

Every aspect of the costume must be carefully planned before the design is brought to life. Dandini (Cinderella) Costume Design Examples of Costume Design A wide range of fabrics and techniques are used to create different effects and help portray the characters. Rich characters like Princes and Kings often have costumes with elaborate embroidery. Magical characters are covered in sequins and glitter which sparkle under the lights. The dame has some of the most outrageous costumes of all and are often created around a theme A dedicated wardrobe department maintains and repairs all of the costumes and wigs during the run – that’s a lot of washing!

Rehearsals

The preparations for the show begin early each year and the script, set, costumes and production are all in place before the final rehearsals start in late November. The cast and crew only have a short time to rehearse and bring the show together. All of the scenes, the script, actors entrances and exits, the songs, dances, costumes and special effects need to be just right before the show opens in December.

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Find more fun and games in the DISCOVERY ZONE

activities
Picture Puzzles
Word Games
Catch The Roses (Game)
Number Puzzles