Shropshire theatrical firm setting the scene Stateside
The festive pantomime has always been the most British of experiences, but now it is heading Stateside, and a Shropshire company is ready and waiting to make the most of that.
Albemarle Scenic Studios in Prees, near Whitchurch, makes the backdrops for pantos and theatre productions all over the UK, but has received its first order from the USA where the appetite for the festive British theatrical tradition is beginning to grow.
Pasadena
So when the curtain goes up on the Arabian Night's Tale of the boy thief who wishes his way to becoming a prince, it will be the people of Pasadena in California taking in the action.
Graham Hickman, from Albemarle, said: "Last year an agent contacted us and asked us to do some stage cloths – the backdrops to the stage.
"We did about 12 last year, and shipped them to the States. They were impressed with what they saw and came back and asked for some complete sets – one each for the next 10 years.
"The first we are doing is Aladdin, then it's a case of things like Snow White and Cinderella.
"It's a whole new thing in the States, and we have managed to get in there at the beginning."
He added: "People from the UK went to the USA and saw the potential for pantomimes to be launched over there, and managed to interest a theatre in Pasadena to take some backdrops.
"The script has been written to suit American audiences as it would be very different to how it sounds over here. The Pasadena theatre came back and said 'we want more'.
"This is work from only one theatre. If it does take off we could end up being very busy."
Pasadena Playhouse, the Californian theatre which is hosting this newly introduced theatrical form to our Stateside cousins, is advertising the show's run, from December 11 to 30 this year.
The company behind the campaigns is Lythgoe Family Productions, which has also produced television shows such as American Idol, according to the theatre's website. It will star US actor Neil Patrick Harris, known for his roles in How I Met Your Mother and films including The Smurfs and Starship Troopers.
Albemarle has been running for around 40 years, and consists of four people working on the Prees Industrial Estate, lovingly building the backdrops for different shows all over the UK.
Butlins, cruise line P&O, and theme parks including Drayton Manor in the West Midlands and Chessington World of Adventures near London are among the company's existing customers, as is Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn.
