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PANTOMIME - A UNIQUE BRITISH ENTERTAINMENT
Pantomime is British. No one else has
it, and it is a marvellous and wonderful (if a little eccentric! )
British institution.
 Pantomimes
take place around the Christmas period and are nearly always based
on well known children's stories such as Peter Pan, Aladdin,
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty etc. Pantomimes are performed not only
in the best theatres in the land but also in village halls
throughout Britain. Whether a lavish professional performance or a
hammy local amateur dramatic production, all pantomimes are well
attended.
Audience participation is a very important part
of a pantomime. The audience are encouraged to boo the villain
whenever he enters the stage, argue with the Dame (who is always a
man) and warn the Principal Boy (who is always a girl) when
the villain is behind them by shouting out "He's behind you!".
An example of audience participation:
 Wicked
Queen in the pantomime version of Snow White. "I am the fairest of
them all"
Audience - "Oh no you're not!"
Queen - "Oh yes I am!"
Audience - "Oh no you're not!"
Slapstick is another important part of a British
pantomime - the throwing of custard pies, the ugly sisters (who are
always played by men) falling over, lots of silly costumes including
of course, the pantomime horse which is played by two people in a
horses costume.
 By the
end of the pantomime, the villain has been defeated, true love has
conquered all and everyone lives happily ever after.
So how did this curious British institution come
about?
Pantomime literally
means "all kinds" of "mime" (panto-mime) . It is generally
acknowledged that British pantomime is modelled on the early masques
of the Elizabethan and Stuart days. In the 14th century the early
masques were musical, mime or spoken dramas, usually performed in
grand houses although by the 17th century they were really no more
than an excuse for a theme party.
The timing of the British pantomime at Christmas and the role
reversal of the lead characters (the principal boy being played by a
girl and the Dame by a man) may have
also
evolved from the Tudor
"Feast of Fools", presided over by the Lord of
Misrule. The feast was an unruly event, involving much drinking,
revelry and role reversal.
The Lord of Misrule, normally a
commoner with a reputation of knowing how to enjoy
himself, was selected to direct the entertainment. The
festival is thought to have originated from the
benevolent Roman masters who allowed their servants to
be the boss for a while.
©
HUK.
More Information -
Where
you can see a Pantomime this year 2009 / 2010
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