"A love letter every quarter from the world of panto"
Gary L Johnson - Panto Archive
Pantomime! magazine is the brainchild of Simon Lucas, the owner of Beercott Books. Simon has been involved with pantomime in one way or another for nearly fifty years! Since playing a rabbit in his local village hall at the age of six, he has gone on to work on many productions, either as performer or designer, both amateur and professional.
His love of pantomime and his knowledge of publishing have come together in this new magazine.
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Take a look with us at this fanatic collection (so far) and see at the bottom how you can get involved / contact with the team.
Issue 1
Published September 2022
Price £5
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Issue 1 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Panto is not just for Christmas - Mama G talked about panto & Britain's Got Talent
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - Mark Fox talks through the history of pantomime at The Lane
Mr Producer! - Steve Boden (Imagine Theatre) says what keeps them busy all year round.
Starting them Young - Joe Logan talks about his experience directing, writing and choreographing for Birmingham Youth Theatre
Pantomime Legends - A look at the panto career of John Inman
75 Years Young - Brierly Hill Musical Theatre Company
Britain's Youngest Dame? A chat with Jamie Riding
History - The origins of pantomime.
Bath-Time! - Jon Monie chats about his work and why he loves panto.
What a fundraiser! - About a group in Stourport-on-Severn
Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
In The Spotlight...
Peter Webster (Script Writer)
Mike Brooks (Director)
The Secret's Out!
A recipe for panto Slosh!
Supplier Directory
Issue 2
Published December 2022
Cost: £5
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Issue 2 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Dick Whittington - A look into the story behind the popular pantomime
Panto Fun Run! - A piece about the annual Chipping Norton Panto Fun Run
Chipping Norton - A look at the history behind The Theatre Chipping Norton
Having Fun in Crewe - A chat with Malcolm Lord (Dame at the Crewe Lyceum)
Sprinkling some Stardust - A new group in Scotland and how they are preparing for their first panto.
Hospice Heroes - The Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge prepare to put on their annual fundraising pantomime with support from some big names
The Pantomime Company, Hinckley - An amateur company with a professional reputation.
Design masterclass - Colin Winslow (designer) about his long and varied career.
Putting on a Smile - Smile Productions a chat to the two young ladies who set it up.
Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
School's out for Pantomime!
A chat with Andrew Billington as he embarks on the first ever MA in Contemporary Pantomime Practice
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Industry Insight
Backstage at The Theatre Chipping Norton for 50 years of pantomime
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In The Spotlight...
Michael Fordred (possibly the oldest dame in the business).
The Secret's Out!
We take a look at that festive favourite - Snow!
Supplier Directory
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Issue 3
Produced March 2023
Cost £5
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Issue 3 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas ​
The London Palladium - Panto at the most famous theatre in the world.
Mr Feathers - A chat with Steven Metcalfe (Costumier Extraordinaire) ​
Keep Smiling - Catch up with Smile productions on how they got on with there first panto.
​Grown-up panto - With Brick Lane Music Hall. ​
Panto Legend - Danny La Rue ​
2023 Panto Awards
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
School's out for Pantomime!
A continued look at the MA in contemporary Pantomime.
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Industry Insight
Hugh Durrant (Award Winner Set / Costume designer)
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In The Spotlight...
Joshua Williams (SUPER FAN)
Will Phipps (Funtime Theatre)
The Secret's Out!
UV Scenes with Krystian Wharton (Groovy UV)
Supplier Directory
Issue 4
Issue 5
Produced June 2023
Cost £5
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Issue 4 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas ​
Cover Feature - Peter Duncan
Beauty and the Beast - A look at the story behind the panto
Panto Abroad - A chat with Ria Van Gelder about panto in the Netherlands​
Pottery Panto - With Stoke Amateur Theatre Society
Remote Panto​ ​
UK Pantomime Association - A chat with chair Simon Sladen
​2023 Pantomime Awards - Results and review of the night​
Having a laugh! - With A comedy Theatre group from Stourbridge.​
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
School's out for Pantomime!
A continued look at the MA in contemporary Pantomime.
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Industry Insight
Domin Young (Sound Engineer and Designer)
Mark Walters (Jack and the Beanstalk set designer)
Joe Meloy (Panto Dame)
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In The Spotlight...
Martin Ballard (Dame and Pod-Caster)​
Supplier Directory​
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Produced September 2023​
Cost £5
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Issue 5 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star Feature - Chris Jarvis
Making the Magic - with Burnt Toast SFX​
H.A.T.S OFF - More details about Holsworthy Amateur Theatre Society ​​​
It's behind you - A look at the Ghost Gag​
Hot News - Looking at the merger between Trafalgar Entertainment and Imagine Theatre​
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
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Industry Insight
Kyrstian Wharton (Groovy UV Show)
Continued chat with Mark Walters
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In The Spotlight...
Sam Dunning (Actor, Model and Podcaster)
Three Spires Guildhall
Burnley Pantomime Society
The Secret's Out!
A behind the scenes look at trap doors.
Supplier Directory
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Issue 6
Produced December 2023​
Cost £5
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Issue 6 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star Feature - Lesley Joseph
Lifesaving Panto - Blue Light Theatre company saving lives through panto ​
Golden Eggs - The Penfold Players prepare to put on Mother Goose ​​
Panto Fun Run - Following what happens in Chipping Norton Panto Fun Run​
Fundraising Stars - How Highcliffe Charity Players made £250,000
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
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Industry Insight
With Terry Powell (Designer of Tod Kingman)
Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury
Paul Hendy (Evolution Productions)
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In The Spotlight...
With Brad Fitt (Panto Dame)
Alison Hammond (TV Star)
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Schools Out
Chatting to two graduates from the first ever MA in Contemporary Pant
The Secret's Out!
A behind the scenes look at trap doors.
Supplier Directory
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Issue 7
Produced March 2024
Cost £5
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Issue 7 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star Feature - Tweedy the Clown
Mother Goose ​- A look at the story behind the panto ​
Panto Abroad - Chatting to Cameron Hall about putting panto on in Spain​
Hospice Heroes - Chatting to James Totney
(Choreographer for Mary Stevens Hospice panto)​
Seaside Panto - Talking to Wardens Theatre Company​
Village Drama - With Eydon Players ​
Hot News - Lighthouse Pool and New Wolsey Theatre announce their 2024 panto
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
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Industry Insight
With The Cidermill Theatre in Chipping Campden
Ryan Dawson Laight
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In The Spotlight...
Jessica Martin (TV and Theatre Star)
Phillip Arran
Supplier Directory
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Issue 8
Produced June 2024​
Cost £5
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Issue 8 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Changing Scenes - Looking into how panto scenery has changed over the years​
Making the magic - A catch up with Burnt Toast SFX​
Writing Superteam - With Welwyn Garden City Panto ​
2024 Pantomime Awards​
Building a dream - What goes on a t the MI Workshops
Emerging Talent - Aeden King (Lighting and Sound)
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
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The Secret's Out
Looking atthe humble backcloth
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In The Spotlight...
Triple C Costume Hire
Supplier Directory
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Issue 9
Produced June 2024​
Cost £5
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Issue 9 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star - Anita Harris
Paper Theatre - A history of toy theatres ​
Backstage Hero - With Connor Cunningham ​
Panto Birthday - With Hackney Empire celebrating it's 25th panto since
re-opening as a theatre​​
Panto Supremo - With Clive Rowe​
Hot News
​Book Review - A review for a new children's book that features panto
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
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Industries Insights
David Shields (Award winning set and costume designer)
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In The Spotlight...
Youth Onstage
Garry Bailey
Supplier Directory
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Issue 10
Produced June 2024​
Cost £5
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Issue 10 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star: Panto's Billy Elliot - A chat with cover star John Partridge
Relaxed & Accessible Performances - A look back at the UK Pantomime Association panel discussion​
Schools finished for panto - A catch up with Jefferson Parlett​
Panto Abroad - Metro Theatre about panto in Canada
​Writing the fun - With David & Fiona Barker
​Adult Panto - They found out how "He's Behind You" became the only adult panto in the West End.​
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events
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Industries Insights
History of the Capitol Horsham
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Spotlight on...
Iain Lauchlan (Panto director, writer and Dame)
Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth
Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Supplier Directory
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Extra
Paper Theatre (Part 1 of a model theatre to make)
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Issue 11
Produced March 2025
Cost £5
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Issue 11 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Nigel Ellacott - A look back in memorial at the career of the master of panto ​
And Relax - A look into Talisman Theatre Kenilworths first ever relaxed performance​
Panto Newbie - A catch up with Jefferson Parlett following his pro panto debut. ​
Variety - With Ben Stock (Panto Dame)​
Just Imagine - A look into the Imagine Theatre podcast ​
Design Masterclass - With Cleo Pettitt​
Diamond Panto - A chat with St Giles (St Mary's Panto society) as they celebrate 75yrs.
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events​
Supplier Directory
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Extra
Paper Theatre (Part 2 of a model theatre to make)
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Issue 12
Produced June 2025
Cost £5
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Issue 12 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star - Jamie Leahey - Cover star
UK Pantomime Awards 2025
Black Country Panto - With Heath Panto Company - proving the pub is a great place for new ideas. ​
Hot News - Casting news from Lighthouse Poole
​Keeping it traditional - Finding out how Harbury Theatre Group prepares for their panto ​
Promoting Panto - All the info on how to handle the PR for a pro panto.
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events​
Spotlight on
Thoroughly Theatre (Backdrop hire company)
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Supplier Directory
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Extra
Paper Theatre (Part 3 of a model theatre to make)
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Issue 13
Produced September 2025
Cost £5
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Issue 13 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star: Make 'em Laugh - A chat with Steve Royal about being a regular in Blackpool.
What a diamond - A chat with Betty Legs Diamond
Panto Abroad - A school in Spain talks about putting on a panto every year.
Hot News - Casting news for Southport, Welwyn Garden City and Theatre Royal, Windsor
Inspirational - A chat with Nikki Shurvinton about the healing power of panto.
Panto Wizards - A chat with an amateur group who have some magical connections.
​Keeping the magic (and the makers) in panto - Gemma Compton from the Queens Theatre, Hornchurch asks if we are losing the backstage skills to keep panto alive.
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events​
Spotlight on
Grand Theatre, Blackpool
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Supplier Directory
Issue 14
Produced December 2025
Cost £5
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Issue 14 included
Introduction - From the editor Simon Lucas
Cover Star - Richie Anderson
Panto Birthday - Burneside celebrates 50 years of panto
Bright Future - A chat with Jacob O'Brien
Witing Superstar - Vikki Stone and how she approaches writing pantomimes.
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Regular Features
What's On - A brief roundup of some panto related events​
Spotlight on
Morgan Brind (Award winning panto Dame)
A small Warwickshire Village panto
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Industry insights
New Wolsey, Ipswich discussing their Rock and Roll panto
A Q&A with writer Gordon House (former head of BBC Radio Drama)
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Supplier Directory
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Get involved
Editor: Simon Lucas, editor@pantomag.co.uk
Website: pantomag.co.uk
Magazine shop: pantomag.co.uk/magazines
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Thank you to PANTOMIME! for sending us images and details on all past issues.