Panto 2026
Maidenhead Drama Guild
The home of drama in Maidenhead!
Following on from the incredible success of Robin Hood in 2025, MDG are back at Norden Farm with the queen of pantomimes Cinderella.
So if your looking for a real festive treat to kick start your Christmas, look no further than Norden Farm this year and be ready to cheer for Cinderella and BOO her hideous ugly sisters as they try to ruin the royal ball for everyone.
Book your tickets at https://norden.farm/events/cinderella or call the Box Office 01628 788997
DIRECTING
So you want to be a director? We have an agreed Protocol showing the pathway to becoming a Director with MDG, together with the method for presenting a project for consideration.
Protocol for Directing for MDG
Directorial pathway
This is a Mentored process. This is to assist and enable anyone to fulfil their creative potential. The three levels to the pathway are:
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Director’s Assistant – watching, learning brief, with the Director as designated Mentor.
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Director of Festival Play – (small cast, modest tech requirements) working with a designated Mentor.
OR Director of a Rehearsed Play Reading (limited cast & tech requirements) working with a designated Mentor.
OR Assistant Director – Full scale production (larger cast, more challenging tech requirements. This will include active involvement in the rehearsal process) working with the Director as designated Mentor. -
Director of full scale production – full responsibility including potential Mentoring.
All aspiring, first time (ever) Directors should expect to follow the proscribed pathway through levels 1 2 & 3. Directors with limited experience would enter the protocol at either level 2 or 3, dependent on proven ability.
Experienced Directors enter the protocol at level 3.
Those experienced Directors new to MDG would enter the protocol at level 3, provided they :-
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Either be introduced and/or referenced by an experienced practitioner known to MDG
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Or provide an up to date CV of relevant work which can be evidenced.
Otherwise they would enter the protocol at level 2.
Festival plays are not restricted to those at that stage on the pathway but will be considered from more experienced Directors, although priority will be given to new Directors as we see this as a vital opportunity to those who aspire to Direct. Provided that we can logistically cope with its demand we do not restrict festival activities to a single play or entry.
Potential Directors of full scale productions will be expected to make a presentation of their project to the Committee (assisted by the Artistic Director, as necessary). This will include a full rationale of the piece, how it will be staged, in what venue etc. including information on costuming in the context of period and style, all of which will already have been discussed with the Artistic Director so that any inconsistencies or potential problems can be resolved or at least mitigated.
If you would like further information or to discuss further the method of presenting a project for consideration, please contact artistic.director@maidenhead-drama.org.uk
Interested in directing? Click here