Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Scout Panto. The curtain first went up on the Haringey and Southgate Districts Scout Pantomime in December 1944 at Bowes Methodist Central Hall, Palmerston Road, Palmers Green. In the dark days towards the end of the Second World War, a group of enthusiastic Scout leaders from Wood Green, Southgate and Friern Barnet had got together and decided to liven things up and raise funds at the same time. Jack and the Beanstalk had a cast of more than 40 – mostly scouts and their leaders.

The year after, the panto team trod the boards at Church House, High Street, Southgate; this remained the show’s permanent home until the hall closed in 1968. The house was dark until a new venue was found – the Intimate Theatre in Palmers Green where the Scout Panto has been staged since 1970.

Many of the performers, musicians and behind-the-scenes crew stay involved for a long time after initially joining the Scout Panto. The late Cyril Sheridan, District Scout Commissioner for Wood Green, was the resident drummer for the first 23 shows! The enthusiasm and support of the boys, girls and grown-ups, both on and behind stage – and in the audience – is what makes the Scout Panto a huge success, year after year.

Different writers, directors and producers have introduced their own styles but every one has been a member of the Scout Association and every script has been original.

Since 1996, the Scout Panto has been written, directed and produced by Chris Berry and Christopher Thorpe, both of whom have been part of the panto team for more than 30 years. Before taking over the ‘management’ role, they had worked as partners on stage for the previous decade, performing last as the Ugly Sisters in the 50th anniversary production of Cinderella.