Opening Show – 3rd December 2022

Finally after two weeks of rehearsal, technical rehearsal and dress rehearsal we get to raise the curtain on the opening show.

Phil Hitchcock salutes Richmond Theatre!

There is always a feeling of trepidation for me, despite this being my 48th/49th Pantomime season- I still got into costume and make up, stood in the corridor listening to the opening number of the show, and still felt those nerves. The lines, the moves, the costume changes- all still not fixed in the mind, and i knew once i walked through the door onto stage that there’s no turning back.

After nearly half a century! Still that trepidation! Then a really strange thing happens. The tabs fly open, Betty Barnum was born and there is the audience- at Richmond so close you could almost reach out and touch them- and THEN the realisation kicks in. THIS is what we do. We tease and play with these lovely people, we let them into our world, and let them know WE are having fun, so THEY can relax and have fun, and that trepidation turns to craft. It IS whay we do, and WHY we’re here. Show time!

By the interval I was totally relaxed and delighted that my non stop never off phase had gone ok! A swift cuppa with Matt Baker, then act two flew by- still no time to stop and admire this amazing spectacle, but the truth it- it is a show that only works because it is an ensemble piece- dancers, comics, acrobats, actors and speciality acts combined with stage management, wardrobe, fly men, follow spots, company managers and crew all working to create that magic we call Pantomime.

Jessica with Theatre Manager Steve Joyce

Two weeks to produce that? Yes- everyone adding their skills to the piece, and we had an audience loving it, even standing at the finale because of this ensemble creation. Made me proud to be a part,

Few mishaps, as one would expect. My zip stuck so that the opening costume couldn’t be removed.. so, put the next one on top! This leads to me being too big to sit in the rocking chair in the cottage and gripping the arms to stop sliding onto the floor.. Changes that were so frantic in the matinee were more relaxed by the second (we have a remarkable wardrobe team) and so were we.

I enjoyed myself! A lot! The evening show was made more magical by seeing a very proud Ann Marie Conley in the audience beaming at her daughter Lucy’s debut in Pantomime as “Baby Bear”- She has husband Brian in Woking Panto, Lucy in Richmond and was bursting with pride. We are a panto family. It is a very small world!

After the second show the management of Richmond Theatre invited us to Pizza and drinks in the circle bar- very kind and very welcomed. It is such a beautiful building, and the circle bar is a Matcham treasure- how lucky are we to play this Palace.

Tomorrow we have two earlier shows- a 1pm and a 5pm. The Countess and I will meet for breakfast before the show- so many places to eat in Richmond, spoiled for choice!