December in Britain marks the start of the British traditional pantomime season, a peculiar descent into a theatre of yesteryear: with middle-aged men in fake wigs and makeup, actors in tights, super-size beanstalks on stage, and wild participants in the audience.
White Light is supplying equipment to pantomimes of all scales, from complete lighting rigs going into West End theatres to additional effects or moving lights for smaller venues expanding their house rigs to provide the extra sparkle and magic that these shows demand. The list even includes twelve different versions of Snow White.
A number productions by Qdos Entertainment, one of the leading national pantomime producers, are using equipment from White Light in London. These include Mother Goose at the Watford Palace Theatre and London's second West End pantomime: Aladdin at the Old Vic that stars Sir Ian McKellen.
The pantomime tradition gives amateur productions a chance to draw crowds during the holiday season. White Light in London are supplying equipment to school Christmas productions, the college production of Me and My Girl at Lancing College, as well as amateur productions of Jack and the Beanstalk, produced by PLOS at the Putney Arts Theatre. In addition, White Light North in Yorkshire is supplying the lighting for Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Peter Pan.
White Light is still supplying equipment to their usual West End and touring productions, during the pantomime season. "The warehouse is now looking a little bit bare," admits White Light's managing director, Bryan Raven, "though we do have a little bit of gear left for any last minute Christmas shows or parties."
