Gaiety Pantomime

A Decade of Irish Stage Magic

The Gaiety Christmas Panto is one of Ireland’s most beloved theatrical traditions a cornerstone of Irish festive culture for over a century. Every winter, generations of families gather in the heart of Dublin to experience the joy, humour, and magic of this live performance.

Since 2013, I have been proud to contribute to this national tradition by designing and illustrating the digital motion backdrops that transform the Gaiety Theatre stage into enchanting new worlds each one steeped in fantasy, fun, and a touch of Irish charm.

Year
2009 - Today

Client
The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

The Challenge

Three actors in a colorful stage play, dressed in whimsical costumes, are performing a flying scene in front of a backdrop depicting a nighttime city skyline with rooftops and stars.

The Gaiety Panto is known for its high production value, beloved characters, and immersive set design. With the introduction of a 4K LED screen on the stage, the creative team needed digital backdrops that would feel as alive and textured as traditional stage sets but with the added flexibility of motion, lighting effects, and seamless transitions.

My Contribution - Visual Designer

A group of dancers perform on stage with a jungle-themed backdrop featuring waterfalls and a large skull.

Working in close collaboration with the production team, I craft hand-illustrated to digital environments tailored to each year’s storyline. These aren’t just backdrops they’re living, breathing parts of the stage, designed to complement the humor, music, and energy that make Irish pantomime so unique.

Design Approach

Stage performance of pirates with a ship backdrop, featuring actors in pirate costumes, a large skull design, and vibrant lighting effects.

  • 1. Concept & Direction
    Each year starts with aligning on the script and creative vision. I work closely with the production team to capture key themes, story beats, and Irish cultural elements.

  • 2. Illustration & Scene Design
    I create detailed, layered illustrations (up to 60 elements per scene) with animated effects like lighting, weather, and movement to bring each backdrop to life.

  • 3. Technical Optimization
    Visuals are optimized for the Gaiety’s 4K LED screen ensuring sharp quality, smooth animation, and seamless performance.

  • 4. Rehearsal Integration
    I collaborate on-site with stage and lighting crews to time visuals perfectly with the actors, music, and special effects during live rehearsals.

Outcome & Achievements

A vibrant stage set depicting a lush, tropical island scenery with colorful vegetation, a waterfall, and wooden structures. A person is walking in front of the set.
Theater stage set with a whimsical cityscape at night, featuring a brightly lit room with large windows, a bed, and a backdrop of stars and a full moon.

From mystical forests and fairy-tale castles to charming Irish villages and magical dreamscapes, I design each scene to reflect not just the script but the spirit of Irish storytelling. Every year, the visual direction evolves – but the heart remains the same: to transport Irish audiences of all ages into a world of wonder and laughter.

Over ten years, my work has helped elevate the Gaiety Panto's stagecraft into a truly cinematic visual experience. The backdrop designs have become a recognizable visual signature of the modern Panto while honoring its timeless Irish roots.

Reflection

This project reflects my passion for storytelling, long-term collaboration, and blending traditional illustration with modern motion design all while honoring Irish cultural traditions through immersive stage visuals.

Portfolio