'Maybe we all need panto a little bit more than ever now'

4 hours ago

Eleanor ShearwoodBBC Newsbeat

Martin Smith

Alicia Belgarde is playing Aurora in the stage adaptation of Sleeping Beauty by Central Theatre this festive period

One song is all it takes to put the fear in actors this winter.

"I've got so many friends that are in different pantos across the UK and we're all going 'What songs have you got? Have you got Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters?'," says actress Alicia Belgarde.

Alicia has managed to avoid that particularly high solo in the chart-topping K-pop song this Christmas. But even if she hadn't, she would still love the world of panto.

"It gets you into the Christmas spirit and I just love working with people who have done many, many pantos before - I can learn so much," she tells BBC Newsbeat.

"It's a real skill and you're learning from the best."

Alicia is bringing Aurora to life for the stage adaptation of Sleeping Beauty by Central Theatre in Chatham this festive period.

Martin Smith

The UK Pantomime Association says about 260 pantos are going on across the UK this season

The UK Pantomime Association tells us there are about 260 pantos going on across the UK this season.

However, it's not all roses for actors - oh no it isn't!

Alicia says roles are in high demand, even for actors who have other jobs.

When she's not waiting for true love's kiss, she is playing Monica Geller in the UK tour edition of the Friends musical parody.

"We have a gap over Christmas and luckily I was able to audition and find a panto that could just fit my dates, otherwise I would have no income over Christmas," she says.

Simon Sladen, chair of the UK Pantomime Association, a charity championing panto, tells BBC Newsbeat that Alicia's case is not unusual.

"This is your one time of the year where you might be able to guarantee work, particularly if you're going back to a venue year after year," he explains.

"Between maybe November and January, a quarter of the year, you know that you're going to be in a job that you love, enjoy and are bringing wonderful entertainment to everybody."

While he says it can be "big bucks" if you're famous, for the ensemble, there's still work to be done.

He says Equity, and other unions, are working to protect performers' rights.

"Not every pantomime is offering an Equity standard contract," he says.

"So there are a lot of things to be looked at there, because we don't want an industry that is exploiting or is not rewarding its employees in a way that they would be in other places."

But jobs are still "competitive".

"I think because of where pantomime is now, in the sense of being respected and having this great quality, I think more people want to be in it," he says.

Martin Smith

Alicia sees working in panto as a chance to learn from actors who have spent years perfecting their craft

It can also be a space to build skills and your public profile.

Alicia sees it as a chance to learn from actors who have spent years perfecting their craft.

"I look around every day in rehearsal and I'm picking up little skills," she says.

"I'm watching, I'm learning, I'm absorbing, I'm trying to be like a little sponge."

While Simon feels it's a great opportunity to network.

"Showing that not only are you performing to that level, but you are respectful, you're on time, you have a good work ethic - it all really can help within the industry," he says.

"Or when you go to an audition and someone maybe has worked with you, or they have an opportunity elsewhere."

It's not just actors who are fans of panto, shows have been steadily drawing in crowds across the UK.

Simon says that after the Covid-19 pandemic, they've seen some of the best box office statistics since records began.

"Maybe we all need the pantomime a little bit more than ever now," he says.

And even though it's an art that's been around since the 16th century - it hasn't stopped evolving.

The cheesy jokes and fabulous dames aren't going anywhere. But Simon says shows are featuring more queer narratives and characters now, as well as becoming more racially diverse and representative of values across the UK.

"Luckily, no longer are we in the domain of the princess only wishing to marry a prince or having to be saved," he says.

"We have strong characters who drive the narrative. In some shows now there isn't even a wedding at the end because, hey, this is 2025."

Alicia describes the panto experience as a "little pressure cooker" as they're up against tight turnarounds and short runs.

"You build these relationships and these bonds so quickly because you're spending all of your time together," she says.

"And how lovely to do that over the Christmas period."

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