A resounding success! That was the verdict of the Children in Need panto written by Steve Orme and performed by BBC East Midlands Today staff at East Midlands Airport.

The brief was come up with a script for reporters and presenters working on BBC Television and also three East Midlands’ radio stations.

“It’s one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done,” said Steve. “The director wanted as much cross-dressing as possible and it didn’t help with more people becoming available late in the day and needing parts written for them. That’s how we ended up with four dames and four principal boys!”

Bryan Sharpe, Children in Need producer in the East Midlands, said: “When I thought of having a pantomime as part of our BBC Children in Need coverage this year, I needed it to be written by someone who was funny, organised and would see it through to the end. This I got in the form of Steve Orme!

“His tenacity, flexibility and his openness in receiving new ideas was great. This finished product was hilarious and definitely achieved the goal of gelling staff in TV and radio together, along with working with the airport. I was very pleased with the finished article and was proud that it was put on the internet for everyone to enjoy. I’m so pleased I asked Steve – what a star!”

Here’s a link to the panto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_LgJB1LG9w