By writer and director Emma Cianchi
When I first volunteered to write and direct this year’s pantomime for Twyford Drama way back in late 2022, I’d only just dreamt up the idea of Buttons’ Dream and January 2025 seemed a world away – plenty of time to write a script from scratch; assemble a production team; create a set, costumes and props; organise sound and lighting; cast the parts; rehearse and be ready and raring to perform to our appreciative audience. But of course, despite my best intentions to get the script completed asap, things didn’t quite go according to plan, and life – as it has a habit of doing – got in the way. With the majority of 2023 taken over with the house buying and selling process alongside wedding preparations – it was a big year for me! – much less writing got done than I’d hoped, so I came into 2024 with a script that was a long way off finished. Thus followed a lot of late nights writing and editing until April, when I finally had a full first draft.
Over the following months, as I continued tweaking my script, I started getting my excellent behind the scenes team on board, who jumped into creative mode and began sourcing sound effects, choreographing dances, planning out the set design, thinking about costumes, and so on and so forth. But the real work didn’t fully kick into action until mid-October.
In the space of just three months, Buttons’ Dream has gone from a script to a show: auditions were held, the parts were cast, scenes were rehearsed, lines were learnt, songs and dances were practised, the set was built and painted, props were gathered and made, costumes were sewn, sound clips were edited and the lighting was planned. In summary: a lot of hard work and a lot of energy were put in by all involved. And now here we are, just seven days from opening night!
Currently, with one week to go, we are busy putting the finishing touches to the pantomime, focusing in rehearsals on the little details and upping the pace. The next few days will also see the Loddon Hall stage transformed into Pantoland as our set is erected. This will be followed by our tech rehearsal, where we focus on the technical parts of the show: the sound, lighting, scene changes and so on. After that, we have a dress rehearsal, running the show in full costume and makeup. And then it’s on to the actual performances!
At this point, the pantomime fully transfers ownership from me to the cast and crew – the production is now theirs and, as the director, I take a step back and can just enjoy watching all their hard work come to fruition.
Suffice to say, Buttons’ Dream has evolved dramatically over this whole journey and seeing my script gradually brought to life over the past few months has been a real honour. I am immensely proud of the whole Buttons’ Dream team for all the hard work and creativity they have put into this pantomime. I can’t wait to see the finished show next week and I only hope our audience enjoys watching it as much as I will.
There's still time to book your tickets for Buttons' Dream on the 17th-19th January. Visit our Book Your Tickets page now.
