Clwyd Theatr Cymru prepares for Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood pantomime

Nov 26 2009 by Eleanor Barlow, Flintshire Chronicle

Performances of Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s popular annual pantomime began last week, with this year seeing Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood take to the stage. Chronicle reporter Eleanor Barlow went backstage to see what preparation went on behind the scenes

Mold’s Clwyd Theatr Cymru is being transported back to medieval Sherwood Forest for its latest production, but this team of Merry Men are armed with musical instruments as well as bows and arrows.

The theatre’s rock ’n’ roll panto, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, started its nine-week run on Friday and backstage staff have been busy preparing the set, props, costumes, wigs and make-up for the festive show.

Production manager Jim Davis is in charge of the £100,000 production budget.

He said: “This is our biggest show of the year.

“In June we get the model for the set and the costume designs are ready in July.

“The process starts in the summer and we try to build and paint as much of the set as we can in a workshop on the Bron Coed Industrial Estate in Mold.”

This is the second time the theatre has chosen Robin Hood for its pantomime, but this time set designers have gone for a less traditional look.

Jim said: “This set is much more 3D this time, rather than just the painted backdrops which are normally used in pantomimes.

“We have a dungeon which comes out of the floor using a hydraulic lift and the set for the castle is moved up and down the stage on wheels driven by motors.”

He said set production had gone smoothly so far, although the lift had caused a few problems.

But setting the scene is not all Jim has to worry about, with a range of special effects being used to add to the show’s excitement.

“The show is quite spectacular,” he said. “There are special effects, lots of tricks, puppets and pyrotechnics as well as lots of comedy.”

In the costume department, the staff have been busy putting together 33 costumes from scratch.

Head of wardrobe Debbie Knight said: “The costumes have got a medieval influence with a modern twist.

“We have a lot of different things to take into consideration.

“The cast have some really quick changes so the costumes need to be easy to get in and out of.

“They also need to be very durable because of all the action and, as all the cast play musical instruments, we need to think about whether they can get their guitars on or play the drums while in the outfits.”

Costume maker Bridie Przibram described the Sheriff of Nottingham’s costume.

“Two of us have been working on the costume for about 10 days,” she said.

“It includes leather armour and material which has been knitted and then silver-plated to make it look like chain mail.

“The work can be quite intricate, with lots of riveting and stitching detail for the top layer.”

As well as the extravagant costumes, wigs and make-up are used to transform the cast.

Wig, hair and make-up supervisor Deb Kenton said: “We try to use the actors’ own hair if we can but because there are so many changes it’s easier to use wigs.”

The biggest task for the hair and make-up department is making over the pantomime dame.

“The dame has three different wigs this year,” said Deb. “We’re using lots of glitter and bright colours and lots and lots of eyelashes.”

This is the 13th year the show’s writer and director Peter Rowe has been involved with the Mold production.

“This show is in the tradition of Clwyd Theatr Cymru’s rock ’n’ roll pantos with all of the 10 actors playing instruments as well,” he said.

“The music includes rock and soul classics and there’s always a great sense of party atmosphere.

“Audiences can expect a highly entertaining, fun-filled, action-packed adventure story with great live music.”