Falmouth students and lecturers collaborate with Hall for Cornwall to bring Christmas panto to life
17 December 2025
From the dress and accessories worn by the Dame in the show’s finale, to the visual effects displayed across the production’s big screen, and the script itself, Falmouth students and staff have played a key part in the making of Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas panto, Aladdin.
As part of Falmouth’s partnership with Truro-based Hall for Cornwall, second-year students studying BA(Hons) Costume Design for Film and Television were invited to take part in a competition to create the costume and accessories worn in the Dame’s final scene. As the climax of the show, the costume is worn during the final song and dance of the production, showcased to the 1000 capacity theatre as the cast take their final bow. The brief encouraged students to create a fun, ‘extra’ panto dress that could be seen from any seat in the theatre, and the students had just over a week to submit their design and only a month to create the finished piece.
Second-year student, Francesca Stanbrook, got the chance to create the winning dress design, with fellow student Sebastian Slade chosen to create the Dame’s accessories.
Reflecting on her work, Francesca shared: “From the start I aimed to create an extremely over the top, colourful dress. I wanted the dress to have so many elements that you don't want to stop looking at it. The brief was to make everything big and noticeable, and I ran with it. The process was a team effort as the dress was made from scratch – from pattern cutting to buying fabrics and making it – and it was only possible with the help of the people from my course and my lovely lecturers. Throughout the process I maintained contact with the team at Hall for Cornwall to ensure the design they had chosen was coming to life in a way they wanted.”
She added: “The skills learnt from my course have been necessary in making this dress a success, such as pattern drafting the bodice so it fits the actor correctly. This is a long process but essential in making a successful garment, and something the course has given me the confidence to be able to do. The course has also taught us how to make sure the dress can withstand the number of performances necessary which is important when designing a garment for stage.”
Course Leader Julie Ripley, commented: “I’m thrilled that Francesca and Sebastian, the winning students, can showcase their quirky creativity in such a prestigious venue.”
It wasn’t just fashion students who got the chance to make their mark on the production. BA(Hons) Post Production & Visual Effects students also had the opportunity to create the digital effects displayed across the production’s screen. Robin Kirk, a post production student who created visual effects for the show, told us: “I created the mist and ball of light visuals that follows the audio dialogue representing the ‘Spirit of the Ring’. It was a great experience working with outside clients and following their briefs. Everyone at Hall for Cornwall was so lovely!”
Post Production & Visual Effects Course Leader Julian Wright, added: “Working with Hall for Cornwall on Aladdin has been a great experience for the students; it has given them the flexibility to be creative and make their mark on a theatre production with a real-world time pressure.”
The production has been co-written by Richard Healey, Falmouth’s BA(Hons) Musical Theatre lecturer who has brought his experience from a range of theatrical and musical projects, including the musical direction for Tom Fletcher’s The Creakers, with him to create a fresh take on the classic tale that’s full of humour, fun and festivity.
Aladdin is being shown at Hall for Cornwall from 5 December 2025 through to 3 January 2026.
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