Shouting, songs and slapstick at Easton pantomime

Great costumes, local jokes and “healthy dose of innuendo” were the order of the day at east Bristol’s first pantomime in a years: A Lad In Easton.

Anna Bryher, 35, has lived in Easton for over ten years, and was the assistant director of the show. Bristol24/7 caught up with her in between rehearsals, ahead of the first performance on Thursday 21 February.

East Bristol hasn’t seen a pantomime in years, so Anna explained how the idea came about: “I wanted to do a pantomime in memory of my Dad who died last year. He loved pantomime and wrote, directed, performed in, and later did scenery for, a local show year on year.”

Putting on a show is no mean feat, with a cast, technicians and tea-makers for the interval to recruit. Anna explains that she held open auditions for the show, delivered thousands of leaflets through local doors, and put up posters.

“I had no idea how many people would show up – it was a stab in the dark based on the fact that everyone I told about it thought they wanted to be in it. It ended up that over 50 people came to the audition.”, she says.

In addition to calling out to local community, Anna sought out actors from BCFM, and invited a local poet and musicians to be part of the show. When it came to cast the budding actors, she says: “Easton has a lot of talented people living here. We had a choice of great actors for lead roles!”

A Lad in Easton was a traditional pantomime with a Bristol twist

A Lad In Easton was inspired by the classic tale Aladdin, and Anna explains why she made this choice for the community’s first pantomime: “We thought Aladdin had something of an Easton vibe about it, but decided to update some of the outcomes.

“We removed the misogyny of Jasmin being bought and sold by men over her head, and the economic fixation where Aladdin gets rich and that is supposed to be the happy ending.”

It’s refreshing to see a fresh, feminist take on a traditional tale. The pantomime is a staple of British culture and shows that these well-loved shows can move with the times and adapt for the 21st century.

Anna reassured Bristol24/7 that all the expected pantomime fun and games remained, however: “People can expect a protest, lots of shouting and participation, some slapstick, songs, and dance.”

The show took place in All Hallows Hall, a community asset in the middle of Easton. Anna feels lucky to have the chance to perform the play in the historic building, saying: “It’s an old, beautiful, slightly dilapidated space with a high ceiling and, with a big old stage.

It’s cold, but beautiful!”

As Anna returns to rehearsals ahead of the first live performance, she says: “It’s been a show about pulling people together and creating something where we live. It won’t be polished, but it will be full of love and energy.”

Read more: Find out about other great theatre shows happening in Bristol