BESPOKE PANTOMIME

A Case Study

A great night for bank robbers. Two thousand bank managers gather for their Christmas conference.

The newly appointed UK director had somehow talked his regional directors to take part in a pantomime (as a way of showing the managers what sort of people run the bank).

Aladdin

We cast the show from notes on the nine directors. One had booked a holiday so couldn't appear. But we weren't having that! We cast her as the genie, put her in a silly costume and filmed her in advance of the show.

We also cast three actors and supplied a director, choreographer and singing coach. We had one read through (a surreal afternoon in a city office - pin stripe suits, sandwiches, silly voices) and ONE rehearsal in a film studio on a cold day in November. To their credit, everyone had learned their lines and surprised us with their enthusiasm and talent.

They loved the singing and the dancing (just not at the same time).

The Performance

Everything was top secret. The backdrop was in place, cameras focussed, huge screens hung on both side of the stage. The music struck up and we were off.

Of course, there were one or two hiccups - a few lines missed. But with two thousand bank managers singing and dancing to the finalé, it was a great night to ask for a loan.

The Benefit

As pointed out by a regional director; the new team meet once a month and a few weeks work had brought them closer than they would have achieved in three years. Plus, there wasn't a manager in the audience who will forget that night.

The night a UK director, eight regional directors (and one on video), bravely stepped onto a vast stage and showed their staff what they were made of.

Course, their careers are behind them. They were fired the next day. ("Oh no they weren't!").

If they can do it, with our help, so can you.