Role Overview
The WHAM Assistant plays a critical role in ensuring continuity, maintaining standards, and supporting the smooth daily operational flow within the principles and FC departments.
In this position, the WHAM Assistants support the daily WHAM operation, consistent delivery of department‑wide quality. The WHAM Assistant is expected to uphold the highest standards of practice across the department, ensuring that all health and safety procedures, WHAM protocols, and performance‑ready standards are consistently met. Strong communication skills and a calm, professional presence during high‑pressure and busy periods are essential.
WHAM & Wardrobe Structure
The WHAM room sits within the wardrobe structure closest to our principal department. The department is made up of three sub‑departments, each with a dedicated team assigned for the duration of the run:
* Principals department – supports 50 performers daily, ensuring all actors apply makeup correctly, offer support with hair prep, apply wigs and facial hair to the highest standard, and manage hats for a 12‑hour performance schedule.
* Father Christmas – supports 50 Father Christmas performers throughout the day, maintaining facial hair and makeup presentation, and providing training to the FC wardrobe assistants.
* Groups – works with ensemble and crowd performers; over 200 elves are dressed across 15 different costume designs, requiring excellent organisation, consistency, quality control, and rapid turnaround.
Show & Shift Information
The show runs daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, with a new audience beginning every 30 minutes. Each audience experiences ~1.5 hours of scripted performance, followed by ~1.5 hours of immersive free time in the Elven Village, before meeting Father Christmas.
* WHAM shifts – AM: 6:00 am – 3:00 pm; PM: 2:45 pm – 11:45 pm.
* The show operates 7 days a week. Wardrobe schedules follow a 5 days on / 2 days off rota, with no guaranteed weekend days off.
Key Responsibilities
* To apply wigs, facial hair and hats to actors securely.
* To assist actors with their make‑up looks if needed and ensure make‑up is kept clean and hygienic between shows.
* To ensure wigs and facial hair are dressed to the highest standard and styles are kept in line with the designs in the wig bible.
* To understand the different types of hair each wig is made of (synthetic, human hair, textured hair) and how to care for it correctly.
* To develop an exceptional knowledge of the wigs and the wig standards.
* To maintain existing systems used for the smooth running of every shift/show.
* To complete all set up and closing duties necessary for the department to run seamlessly.
* To follow cast lists in order to set the correct wigs for each day of shows.
* To keep the WHAM room clean and tidy.
* To have a good knowledge of health and safety protocols.
* To work closely alongside the WHAM Manager on duty to ensure full support to the cast and the rest of the team.
* To effectively communicate running and handover notes to WHAM Manager and WHAM team.
* To respond quickly and efficiently to any one‑set WHAM calls.
* To attend training days specified by the WHAM Manager.
* To maintain a supportive and positive WHAM environment with the cast and team.
* To represent the company and comply with company policies.
Key Attributes
* Excellent teamwork and communication.
* Passion for the role and the company.
* Ability to remain calm under pressure.
* Proven experience in live theatre.
* Knowledge of wig maintenance techniques.
* Experience washing and caring for wigs.
Location & Dates
Lapland UK Live Site, Manchester: Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield SK1 19JY
Start Date: 1st November 2026
Preview Day: 4th November 2026
Opening Day: 7th November 2026
End Date: 24th December 2026
De‑Rig: 27th December – 30th December
Interview location: Capesthorne Hall (interviews will be held at this venue).
Pay Rate & Contract
Pay Rate: £15.85 per hour, plus £50 per working day subsidy.
Contract basis: PAYE or Self‑Employed.
Benefits
* One on‑site meal per working shift.
* Lapland Shuttle bus from local train station to site.
* On‑site parking for staff (Manchester).
* Holiday paid in full at end of contract calculated at 12.07% of total hours worked.
* £50 subsidy per working day to help with travel costs.
Employment Eligibility
Applicants must be authorised to work in the United Kingdom without the need for visa sponsorship.
Lapland reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any time.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Lapland is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.
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