Simon Sladen

Panto Editor and London Reviewer

[email protected]

Simon is Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Performance at the Victoria and Albert Museum. His research interests include modern British pantomime, its evolution since 1945 and the genre’s use of celebrity. He is Curator of the National Database of Pantomime Performance and Founder / Co-ordinator of National Panto Day.

Twitter: @SimonSladen

Website: www.simonsladen.co.uk

Reviews

News

Features

Panto 2020: the season in stats

Panto 2020: the season in stats

Simon Sladen brings you Pantoland's vital statistics in a season where less is more.
Josh Benson in York Theatre Royal's 2020 touring pantomime

Panto Season 2020: Oh Yes It Is!

Simon Sladen looks forward to Panto Season 2020 and explores how COVID-19 has affected the Industry. (Updated 28/10/20)
Pantoland at the Palladium

Operation Sleeping Beauty: Pantoland's Kiss of Life?

Simon Sladen reports on the National Lottery initiative to purchase pantomime tickets to seats unable to be sold due to 'social distancing' under Operation Sleeping Beauty.
Jack and the Two Metre Beanstalk

Pandemic Panto-monium!

Simon Sladen reports on the latest industry activity ahead of Panto Season 2020 including strategies companies are taking to produce COVID-secure productions. Updated 23/09/20.
New York Times Journalist Matthew Anderson and actor Samuel West exchange pantomime views via Twitter

"PANTOMIMES" hit the headlines

As the Government announce a £1.57 billion investment in the arts, Simon Sladen reports on pantomime hitting the headlines and ponders what a socially-distanced panto season might look like.
Opinion - Pantoland: Let's Talk About Race

Pantoland: Let's Talk About Race

In this opinion piece, Simon Sladen shares his thoughts on pantomime casting, characters and narratives.
Aladdin at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, North Yorkshire

Panto season 2019: some reflections

Simon Sladen looks back to Panto Season 2019.
Panto in Lockdown

Panto in Lockdown: A Roundup

Simon Sladen surveys the online pantomime initiatives keeping the genre alive during lockdown.
Panto Season 2016

Panto News: February 2017

In his first column of the year, Simon Sladen reflects on Panto Season 2016 and looks forward to the year ahead.
Panto Season 2015

Panto News: Jan - Feb 2016

In his first blog of the year, Simon shares his thoughts on Panto season 2015 and looks forward to 2016's Easter and Christmas seasons.

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