The pantomime villain is the engine of the show. Without genuine menace, the hero's triumph means nothing and the audience has no one to boo. I've written villains across fourteen scripts, and the same craft questions come up every time. Here's what I think makes the difference.

Pantomimes draws on a set of recurring character types, each with a specific job to do in the story and in the room and understanding them is essential to a great show. Here is a proper look at all of them.

A pantomime audience isn't just watching, they're part of the show. How you play to them, include them, and ride their energy makes the difference between a performance that works and one that truly flies. Here's what I've found helps most.

Pantomime has been making audiences laugh for a very long time. From ancient Greece to the Italian Commedia tradition to the glittering stages of Victorian Britain, the history of panto is one of the most gloriously improbable in all of theatre. Oh yes it is!