...oh no he isn't...

Having managed avoid the phenomenon of pantomime for the majority of my adult life, I suddenly find myself involved with not one but two of them. Ah life, who knows what it is going to throw at you!

To clarify firstly, I don't actually dislike panto - I know it can be big camp fun and everything - it just never really appealed to me enough to want to watch it, associating it more as entertainment for kids (which it primarily is of course). And the idea of Christopher Biggins in a dress brings me out in hives.

Anyway, here's how it all happened...

After the success of Glorious! Cardiff Players (who have now well and truly got their hooks into me) announced that their next production would be the annual pantomime which this year is Robin Hood, written by Geoff Lake of the Players. Initially scheduled for early December, the production has had to be put back until late January due to venue problems.

And just as well...

As before, I will be involved primarily as videographer and projectionist, and I therefore asked what visual apparitions I would need to conjure up for this production. I was told. And when I came round again...

Glorious! was a big challenge technically, but I think this production is going to ten times more so. There are certain video sequences that I still have no idea how to tackle. However, as with the previous Players presentation, I always cherish a challenge and it will be fun being creative to find solutions. But I think an investment in some advanced video software will be called for... much as I like iMovie there's only so much it can do!

We already have one sequence 'in the can'; it involved a cold but bright Saturday morning a couple of weeks back where cast members in costume had to emerge from bushes in Heath Woods. (Don't ask.) It was a fun couple of hours shooting it though (a lot of laughs!) and I think the edit for it looks pretty good. One down...

And the other?

Members of the ONS/IPO Creative Writing group were approached earlier in the year to pen a pantomime to be performed at ONS in late November (two performances, one for staff and the other for under 10s) and December (an extra performance for OAPs). The mighty Mr Stephen Lurvey stepped forward to create a completely original panto premise titled 'Santa Gets The Sack', involving the titular Christmas character, his arch-nemesis the wizard GoneDaft and malfunctioning robots...

Having rather been bitten by the theatrical bug by this time, I offered to help with staging and to provide sound effects for the shows. (Note to self: get sound effects for the shows...).

And the next thing I know...  I have a part in it. (And this is after taking the solemn oath that 'techies never go on stage'. I should be ashamed.) How did that happen??

Given that Santa's helper elf 'Andy' has to undergo some rather alarming physical abuse at the mechanical hands of the malfunctioning robot, it became apparent that the person playing said elf could not perform all the stunts herself due to health problems. The result? Why of course... a 'stunt elf' was written in! And to play him? Well, I think I you know where this is heading...

To be honest, I'm quite looking forward to playing the part, as it involves minimal dialogue and the ability to look alarmed, grunt and roll around on the floor a lot. I think I can handle that. The rehearsals for stunt elf scenes has left me with carpet burns, but - oh, stop it!!

So the next few weeks I will be like a thing possessed - or more like a demented, punch drunk elf staggering around with a video camera and a laptop, tapping along while sketching out ideas for a his next written piece.

Dull life, eh...