2011 saw the launch of Panto Day (P-Day); a celebration of pantomime using social media. Twitter users came together to tweet anything and everything panto related on the 1st December, from memories, to facts, to photos and anecdotes and although the day's official hashtag #panto did not trend nationally, it did trend on the social media website during the afternoon in Swindon.
On 1st December 2011 the twittersphere was a buzz with pantomime related tweets and it was wonderful to see so many pantomime enthusiasts and practitioners joining together to celebrate this uniquely British artform.
Over 100 theatres in the UK joined in, along with many professional pantomime production companies, their casts, crews and audiences. Amateur dramatic societies also joined in the fun and tweets were being generated roughly every 10 seconds throughout the day.
With a new year comes a new opportunity to celebrate pantomime. Feedback from P-Day 2011 has been so positive that it will be repeated in December 2012, bigger and better for the Olympic year.
Plans are already for Panto Day 2012, with Twitter feed @Panto_Day set up to keep followers updated on all Panto Day 2012 news and activities.
The Panto Day team is currently looking for theatres, companies and individuals who may be interested in playing a larger role during 2012, such as hosting events, documenting practice or helping out with live Tweeting throughout the day. Although Twitter will still form a large part of celebrations, the Panto Day team hope that 2012 will encompass much, much more....
If you would like to get involved, tweet or direct message @Panto_Day to pledge your support or request further information.
The Panto Day 2012 Team would also love to hear from you if you have any ideas about events or activities that could be run to celebrate Britain's national artform. How would you celebrate pantomime? Custard pie throwing? Dame for Day fancy dress? Thigh slapping world record contest? Let us know!
A very big 'Thank You' to everyone who got involved in P-Day 2011 and here's to Panto Day 2012! I look forward to hearing from you.
Simon Sladen
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