The Christmas decorations have been packed away, kids are back at school and new year resolutions are already forgotten. It’s the middle of January and the festive season is well and truly over – but not in panto-land. Pantomimes are still running in Liverpool, at the city’s Royal Court and Everyman theatres, and at Theatr Clwyd in Mold, among other venues. But does panto feel different once the Christmas holidays have ended and might it serve another purpose amid the January gloom?
Nottingham Playhouse’s Sleeping Beauty runs until this weekend, closing just before Blue Monday which is supposedly the most depressing day of the year. John Elkington is playing Nelly the Nanny in the show and has been Nottingham’s dame for almost 30 years. He says that for audiences who come in January, perhaps after being cooped up at home, “it’s something to look forward to” and one more treat after Christmas. “It feels like an extension for the children, keeping the fun up: you know, ‘there’s still the panto to go to!’ Our audiences are very loyal and supportive. Just because we’ve come into the new year and we do fewer shows – six a week rather than the 12 a week we do before Christmas – our job is to keep up the energy, not let it slip.” It’s a demanding gig – Elkington only gets to put his feet up on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
