EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

What to Wear to a Pantomime (Matinee, Evening and With Children)

“Panto is the one night at the theatre where the audience is part of the show, so dress for joining in. Comfortable enough to stand up and shout, smart enough to feel like a treat, and nothing on your head bigger than your hair.”Her take

How dressy should you go?

UK pantomimes are family shows, and audiences are relaxed. You'll see everything from school uniform on a school trip to jeans and jumpers to sequinned tops on a group night out. Theatres don't set a dress code for pantos, so there's no wrong answer between casual and smart.

A useful rule: dress as you would for a nice dinner out locally. For a matinee with children, smart-casual is plenty. For an evening performance, especially an adults-only night or a big city production, many people go a step dressier.

Outfits that work

Choose one of these and adjust for the weather.

• Family matinee: dark jeans, a soft festive knit or striped jumper, ankle boots, a crossbody bag.
• Evening show: wide-leg trousers with a satin or velvet top, block-heel boots, small sparkly earrings.
• Dress option: a long-sleeved knit midi dress with opaque tights and flat or low-heeled boots.
• Group night out: a sequin or metallic top under a blazer with black jeans; take the blazer off once seated if it's warm.

Dress for a warm theatre and a cold queue

Auditoriums get warm once they fill up, but you may queue outside, wait at a bus stop or walk to the car afterwards in December cold. Wear a lighter top with a layer over it, such as a cardigan or blazer, so you can cool down in your seat.

Theatre seats are often close together and not every venue has a cloakroom, so a coat that folds neatly onto your lap or slides under your seat is better than a huge puffer. A long wool coat or a packable padded jacket works well.

Shoes, bags and the view

You'll be up and down for the interval, the ice cream queue and perhaps a sing-along, often on stairs and steep circle steps. Choose comfortable flats or low block heels with grip.

Keep your bag small; there's little room in a theatre row. Avoid tall hats, festive headbands with big antlers, and very high buns or ponytails during the show, as they block the view of whoever sits behind you, often a small child. Wear them for photos in the foyer, then take them off.

Taking children

Dress children in layers they can take off easily, with comfortable shoes for climbing into seats. Some children like to dress as a favourite character; check the venue's guidance if a costume includes props or masks. Some theatres have booster cushions for younger children, so ask when you arrive.

Bring a spare top if they're likely to spill a drink or ice cream, and skip anything with lights or noise that might distract others.

Front rows and audience participation

Front rows and aisle seats are where performers are most likely to interact with the audience. Depending on the production, people sitting close to the stage may catch confetti, a water pistol or the odd splash from a messy scene. If you're near the front, avoid delicate silk or suede and wear something easy to wipe or brush off.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Smart-casual, light layers for a warm room, a coat that folds onto your lap, flat shoes for steep steps, and nothing tall on your head in your seat.

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