Big pantomime build begins at Pickering's Kirk Theatre
Behind every spectacular pantomime is a team of dedicated volunteers, plenty of timber, a few pots of paint and, occasionally, a set of ideas that leave everyone wondering quite how they are going to make them work!
The big pantomime build has now begun at Pickering’s Kirk Theatre, as the Saturday Set Building team gets to work creating the magical world of Pickering Musical Society’s forthcoming production of Sleeping Beauty.
Director Luke Arnold said: “For weeks, Rob, who leads the team, has been trying to make sense of my ideas.
“The team tell me it’s never easy translating what’s going on inside my head into a workable set design.”
Now those ideas are beginning to become reality, as the team tackles the enormous task of building the scenery that will transform the Kirk Theatre into the magical kingdom of Queen Bossanova and King Timorous.
“I sometimes think Rob must dread those early conversations!” jokes Luke, who is directing his 11th pantomime for the society.
“We come up with all sorts of things we'd like to see on stage, and then it's down to Rob and the team to work out how on earth we're going to make them happen.”
It is no small undertaking.
Creating a pantomime set involves far more than a few pieces of painted scenery, and the Saturday team will be working hard over the coming weeks to build the structures, features and surprises that help make Pickering Musical Society’s annual pantomime such a treat for audiences of all ages.
Volunteers across set construction, props, costumes, scenery and countless other departments are all busy preparing for the show, while rehearsals are already under way for the cast.
“People probably don't realise just how much work goes into a show like this,” Luke said.
“There's an incredible amount to do before we even get close to opening night, and so much of it depends on our volunteers giving up their time to make it all happen.”
Joining the builders for the start of the big build was Michelle from the Props team, who has been busy putting the finishing touches to some of the show's magical details, including painting spinning wheels.
After all, what would Sleeping Beauty be without a spinning wheel or two?
“It's very much a team effort,” adds Luke.
“We've got people working away in all sorts of different areas of the theatre, and it all has to come together in time for January.
"It's always exciting when the set starts to take shape, because you can really begin to picture how the finished show is going to look.”
Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are already selling fast, with one performance sold out and a quarter of all available tickets gone.
Such is the demand that the society has added an extra performance to this year's run, bringing the total to 16.
“We're really pleased with how ticket sales are going,” Luke added.
“Panto is a big part of the Kirk Theatre's year, and it's lovely that so many people make coming to see us part of their January traditions.
"We're looking forward to putting on another great show.”
For now, though, there is plenty of work still to be done, as Rob and his team return to their timber, paint and ambitious plans, bringing another little piece of pantomime magic to life.
Sleeping Beauty runs at the Kirk Theatre, Pickering, from Tuesday January 12 to Sunday January 24, 2027.
Tickets are available at www.kirktheatre.co.uk or from the box office on 01751 474833.