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.

Client
The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin

Year
2009 - Today

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
Motion & 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.