DATES FOR 2008 The Pantomime Roadshow in Redbridge and East London will be playing two schools each day w/c 21st and 28th April 2008.   2007 Highlights The Magic of Pantomime w/c 29th October - His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen Two Newspaper Articles - The Times Educational Supplement and St Peter's Press/The Primary Times click to enlarge   Click on letters to read some of the pupils feedback   w/c 5th November - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton See the Video Feedback from Wolverhampton Opens in Express and Star Website Nigel Ellacott, Peter Robbins and Andrew Ryan

The Roadshow tours schools with an educational programme introducing children to the magic of live theatre and especially Pantomime. Aimed at Key Stage Two Primary children it offers what may be the first experience of theatre to pupils in a comedy performance that will both entertain and educate.

Our aim in touring these productions is to encourage children to make that first contact with their local theatre, and to entertain and educate them in the history, traditions and enjoyment that can be gained by doing so. This is, after all the audience of the future.

The first part of the show involves a comedy and interactive performance lasting 40 minutes, and after a short break the second part involves showing the children costumes and props from actual productions, allowing some children and staff to dress up in various costumes, and ends with a lively question and answer session.

The Roadshow visits ten schools a week, playing two performances a day, complete with scenery, costumes and properties. The aim is to play to as many as the school hall will accommodate- generally the Roadshow will perform to approximately 3,000 children each week.

Our aim is to tailor each production to the needs of the local theatre. In short, we represent the Theatre that books the tour, encouraging the audience to make what will often be their first visit to the theatre, which quite often will be to the annual pantomime. We work closely with the theatre’s publicity and marketing departments, highlighting forthcoming productions suitable for the age range. We distribute print and posters to the schools visited, and encourage “follow up” information and communication with the theatres concerned.

A Promotional Video of the Roadshow with Nigel Ellacott, Peter Robbins and Andrew Ryan PART ONE (18.3MB - 5 Min)  PART TWO (18.3MB - 5 Min)  PART THREE (3.25MB - 1.5 Min)  Requires Quicktime (MP4 Format)

THE ROADSHOW - In Brief

The show is presented by Nigel Ellacott & Peter Robbins, the country’s top “Ugly Sisters” . They have over thirty years of experience in theatre and in particular Pantomime. They are joined by top panto Dame and director Andrew Ryan.

When the children enter their school hall, it has been transformed into your Theatre. They are greeted by the “Theatre Manager”, and the performance commences.- or rather the “Magic” begins!

We are backstage at the local theatre - the Theatre manager, played by Andrew Ryan is putting on a pantomime, but he has some casting problems. Peter Robbins enters as a loud, pompous actor, visiting his friend who is in the pantomime- however- he finds a few surprises- the biggest being that he himself is called upon to appear, at short notice- that very night!

Here are some photos from the Magic of Pantomime Roadshow 2006 - Wolverhampton & Aberdeen

Cast - Nigel Ellacott, Peter Robbins and Andrew Ryan

He is the character that seems to know absolutely everything about life upon the stage. He is shortly joined by Nigel Ellacott, as “Billy”, a character who has never been to the Theatre, but is here on work experience. Billy has never even been to a theatre, and  can’t understand what all the fuss is about!. Nigel is the link between the Audience and the information they are receiving in a comic and subtle way. Through laughing at and with these three characters they are continually learning about the Theatre.

During Billy’s time backstage he quickly learns all about life backstage, about props, scenery, costumes.. that lines have to be learnt- he and the audience witness a lightening “Quick Change” in which Peter’s character is transformed into a Pantomime Dame! The show is filled with comic “business” in a pantomime format- a true taste of what it would be like to visit the forthcoming pantomime at the local theatre.

The presentation covers the reasons why, in Great Britain boys can play girls, and Girls can be Principal boys. The Local Theatre’s current children orientated production is highlighted, before the presentation concludes with some Panto type routines, and a sing-a-long Pantomime songsheet .

After a break of fifteen minutes, the Audience return. Peter, Nigel and Andrew are now dressed “As Themselves”, no longer in character. Six or eight children, and several staff are recruited as “SuperModels” to try on the costumes, whilst Nigel explains how a costume is created, using Theatre costumes to illustrate. A digital photograph is taken, and displayed on a Certificate from the Theatre. This is presented to the school. Information on downloading factsheets from our website is also given out. Copies of the Theatre’s poster for the suitable production are also left with the school, along with print for the production.

The presentation concludes with a Question and Answer session with the children, where they can ask any questions  about the Theatre, about life as an actor, or about the scenery and costumes.

These Roadshows have played to over 100,000 children in schools and theatres around the country. The “Magic of Pantomime” Roadshow was recently featured on “Teachers TV” for Anglia Television, and was also featured in the Channel 4 documentary “Pantoland”. The show has also been featured on Radio 4’s “Down Your Way”, and on several regional arts and news television channels across the UK.

“Learning Through Laughter”

as seen on

The following Theatres have booked both versions of the Roadshow:

Aberdeen, His Majesty's Theatre: Bath, Theatre Royal: Basingstoke, The Anvil: Birmingham, Hippodrome: Blackpool, Grand Theatre, Cardiff, New Theatre: Ilford, Kenneth More: Llandudno, North Wales Theatre: Lewisham, Lewisham Theatre: Manchester, Opera House: Nottingham, Theatre Royal: Oldham, Coliseum: Sheffield, Lyceum: Southend, Cliffs Pavilion: Southampton, Mayflower: Stoke, Regent Theatre: Swansea, Grand Theatre: Wimbledon, Wimbledon Theatre: Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre.

The Trafford Centre, Manchester