How do you pin down a plot for a pantomime script that is classed as non-traditional? Especially one that - whilst with famous characters - has no straightforward storylines. Rather, it has iconic concepts and symbolic moments. I am speaking of my most recently penned script: King Arthur - the panto. Unlike traditional stories such as … Continue reading 6. Knight to King. Check.
5. THIS IS WONDERLAND
To write in riddles is a curious thing. To be curiouser and curiouser is the road forward. Or, as the Cheshire Cat says, If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. That is a truth. Isn’t it? Yes, that’s right. After all, why is a raven like a writing desk? … Continue reading 5. THIS IS WONDERLAND
4. THE DARK SIDE
Pantomime is a strange branch of writing. You are essentially writing a comedy for people who already know the punchline. For in all honesty, if the story delves too far into the unknown, or deviates too wildly, it does not go down well with the audience. The trick, then, is to throw in many smaller … Continue reading 4. THE DARK SIDE
3. SAVING MR DARLING
When I was in the midst of writing my version of Peter Pan as a PANtomime script (oh dear) back in 2018, I knew this would not be a ‘traditional’ pantomime – in the sense that it is not classified as one of the ‘Big Four’ (namely, Aladdin, Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Jack and the … Continue reading 3. SAVING MR DARLING
2. TO BE A HERO
After previously considering the nature of The Villain in writing and their role within the narrative arc, it now only seems fitting to extend the tentacles into the characteristics of The Hero. The one we are all rooting for. Or the one we are all convinced to root for. There’s a difference. A Hero can … Continue reading 2. TO BE A HERO
1. THE VILLIAN
When writing, it is imperative you spend just as much time getting to know your central villain. Despite perhaps not having as much ‘screen time’ as the central protagonist – the ‘hero’ – it is The Bad Guy’s response and emotional reaction to the hero’s actions that cause the escalation to the conflict. What may … Continue reading 1. THE VILLIAN
INTRODUCTION TO THE BLOG
I am fascinated by the process of writing. I began writing as an exploration. I wanted to know how a story was put together. Pulling apart the structures of classic pieces to find the common frameworks and characteristics. Scripts hold the same joy. Looking at the character beats, the arcs, the long speeches and unspoken moments. The sharp dialogue … Continue reading INTRODUCTION TO THE BLOG
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