About
Guide Panto
Once upon a time....
Back in 2002 Amy had the crazy idea of writing a pantomime and doing it with a Guide group. She encouraged her fellow young leader Ruth to do it with her. Back when Amy and Ruth were 84th Bristol Guides they had done a pantomime every year as part of their meetings.
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So Amy and Ruth created Frying Pan and the lost Superheros of Bristol. They asked 1st Bristol Guides is they wanted to take part and the magic was born. They had 4 weeks, one of which included the performance and each week a few Guides were missing. Best to say the performance wasn't polished!
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So the following year they decided to invite more Guide groups and run it on its on evening. In 2003 they put on Cinderella for one performance after rehearsing every Friday night from September - end of November. Ruth then headed off to university and Amy worked with the other Rangers to keep the magic going.
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When Amy then headed off to university, the Rangers kept the pantomime going.
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In 2010, Amy returned with Peter Pan. Since then, Amy has been supported by a team of volunteers (many of them family, friends of fellow Leaders!). Rhian joined the team in 2011. In 2019 we were joined by Emily Bleach, an ex Guide Panto member who was studying acting at university. Emily has become our assistant director. The pantomime has grown from strength to strength and now owns a large array of costumes and technical equipment.
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Each year the pantomime raises money for two charities and gives between 20 - 30 Guides the opportunity to take to the stage. Being a member of Guide Panto is not about being the best of the best, it's about being keen to learn skills and have fun. The places are offered on a first come, first served basis with the auditions deciding which parts the Guides get. In 2019 Guide Panto raised £2600 for charities. Even COVID-19 could not stop Guide Panto, and we created a virtual pantomime and still managed to raised just over £1000 for charities.
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In 2021 we celebrated our 20th year. We also managed to raise over £21,000 in the 20 years.
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The storylines have moved on from the traditional "fairy tale" pantos and Amy writes a new script each year making the Guide Panto a truly unique experience.
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Our Crew
Amy - Founder and Director
Amy herself used to be a very shy girl growing up. However as part of Guides she took part in the pantomime. It was Guiding that developed her love of singing. Through singing and performing in front of people, her confidence grew immensely.
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Amy has always enjoyed writing anything from songs, to stories to pantomimes. Amy's dream is to give every Guide the chance to become the best they can be.
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Emily - Assistant Director
Emily is a former Guide Panto cast member. She is now back after studying acting at University.
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Mandy - Seamstress and box office commander
Being Amy's mum, Mandy naturally became involved in the pantomime however now she would be upset if anyone else took over her role on box office. Mandy has helped create a number of the costumes throughout the years and also helped with the creative process
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Harold - 'In-Security'
Being Amy's Dad, Harold also naturally became involved. He has been instrumental in creating numerous props and the wooden backdrop. He is also very handy for the last mad dash out for more milk or cakes.
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Jessica - trainee director
Jessica attended her first panto meeting at 4 days old. She loves coming on the panto sleepovers and getting to know the Guides. She loves trying on all the costumes
