Industry Interview // Sam Rabone // Pantomime Dame // Director // Panto // Actor

Theatre Beard interviews Pantomime Dame and director, Sam Rabone and puts your questions to him about his career, staging a panto production, the rehearsal process and quick changes. We also get an insight into just how much a Dame costume can cost, and what slosh is, and just how many people are involved in staging a Panto Production.

Sam currently is a Dame with, and directs for, Paul Hendy's company Evolution Productions.

As it is a rather lengthy video you might want to jump to a particular section, so feel free to use the time stamps here:

1:15 - What characterises a Panto, and how is it different to a play or a West End musical?
2:20 - Breaking the forth wall, and which characters can do it.
3:50 - How long have you been in Panto?
4:50 - Do the costumes belong to the Dame or to the production?
6:50 - Directing a Panto, and who Sam collaborates with. Casting and planning.
11:35 - How does it work being both a director and performer in the same production?
13:00 - Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager
15:48 - Rehearsal process, prioritising, logistics and line learning
17:50 - The set build, costumes and props arriving, tech rehearsal
21:30 - Slosh routines
22:36 - Rehearsing slapstick routines
24:44 - Quick changes and wardrobe department
26:54 - Three essential skills/qualities for a director

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Sam's photograph by Pamela Raith