Catch up on your panto fix thanks to online show
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IF you missed out on your fix of panto help is at hand thanks to an online show.
Cinderella Live, a fully live and interactive pantomime, had its world premiere last week, followed by a successful run with thousands of viewers tuning in to see the live shows between December 16th and 20th.
However, if you missed it, not to worry, the show will be available on demand until the end of January
Following a difficult year and much uncertainty within the theatre business, UK-based production company Panto Live took on the challenge of creating a live pantomime experience for audiences to enjoy all over the world. Over 3000 households and 150,000 school pupils tuned in over the panto’s live show run.
Rehearsals took place across two weeks before the world premiere, with the crew and game developers testing the virtual worlds created for the show. It’s also been no easy feat for director Charlotte Peters to adapt a traditionally theatrical pantomime to make it work as a televised show.
Tim Churchill, who plays Ugly Sister Sharon, explained: “It’s not the same as filming a pantomime on stage, so it’s not really a stage show.
"It’s almost a film, in a way, a live event.”
Additionally, the pantomime was shot live in front of a green screen, with 3D virtual worlds, effects and backgrounds generated in Unreal Engine, a world-building tool used in video games and TV shows such as Fortnite and The Mandolorian.
“You have all this realm of extra opportunities because by working in greenscreen, you can create magic!” said Ms Peters.
“When you’re sitting there in the studio and you see these backgrounds come to life it really does feel like our actors are there, and I definitely wasn’t expecting that sense of reality.”
This fully interactive show included one-of-a-kind perks for its audiences, such as a family selfie competition, giveaways and even a chance to be part of the virtual audience panel and be featured in the pantomime.
More information is available at www.pantolive.com
