For the benefit of non-British visitors, an explanation of the theatrical form known as Pantomime may be in order.
The pantomime is a production traditionally staged at, or around, the Christmas / New Year period. It is often based on an ancient tale or Nursery Rhyme (as may be known to North Americans as Mother Goose stories) or a Fable (such as those written by Æsop, Andersen and the Brothers Grimm). Typical examples are
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Others may be based on familiar stories from history or literature, e.g.
Although loosely following the story upon which it is based, the pantomime always incorporates several characteristics peculiar to the form:
Always the prettiest female in the cast - she is young, innocent and always ends up "living happily ever after" with the Principal Boy.
Example: Cinderella.
Always played by another of the pretty young females of the cast; the costume is usually fairly skimpy, showing plenty of leg above knee- or thigh-length boots (pantomime is not generally known for its "political correctness"!) This character is always brave and resourceful, and is ultimately responsible for vanquishing the "baddies" and bringing the story to a happy conclusion; of course, he always gets the girl, usually ending up with a marriage to the Principal Girl.
Example: Prince Charming in The Sleeping Beauty.
The story nearly always revolves around the tried-and-tested formula of Good conquering Evil and, as such, requires a villain to make all the innocent members' lives miserable at the beginning of the play; by the end, all the baddies and henchmen will have either been destroyed or, more politically correct these days, made to see the error of their ways and turned into reformed characters; this villain rarely works alone and often has a staff of henchmen to perform his dirty deeds for him.
Example: The Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood.
Always played by a male member of the cast, dressed in drag; this character is usually portrayed as oldish, unattractive and fairly common, all qualities which she believes she is the exact opposite of! She befriends the two principals early in the story and is usually instrumental in all the good acts they perform in the course of the story; quite often ends up "living happily ever after" either with the Principal Girl's kindly old widowed Father/Uncle/Guardian or with the ultimately-reformed Principal Baddie.
Example: Widow Twankey in Aladdin.
Usually a young male character who introduces himself to the audience early in the first Act; whenever he appears, he usually says "Hello" to the audience, expecting a resounding response; he often asks the audience for advice on the best course of action or the location of another character; usually not too bright, he is the most lovable character in the pantomime.
Example: Buttons in Cinderella.
These are usually a pair of characters that seem inseparable and manage to muck up every simple task they are set by others; they usually have matching names (such as Pinch & Punch) and may either be servants in the principal "good" household or henchmen to the Principal Baddie.
In some of the common pantomimes staged today, some of these stereotypes may be found doubled into a single character, e.g. the Principal Boy may also be the Audience's Friend or the Audience's Friend may also be the Fool. In Cinderella, for instance, there are two Dames: the Ugly Sisters.
Pantomime is aimed at children, although always enjoyed by adults alike - a good excuse to "begrudgingly" accompany the children! The story and dialogue is punctuated by many songs and dance routines and there is plenty of audience participation, usually culminating in a rousing community sing-song just before the lavish finale.
An especially necessary rôle is played by the audience, as follows: when any character makes a loud assertion that is patently wrong, the audience will set him straight by shouting back its contradiction, e.g.
| Character: | "Oh no it isn't" |
| Audience: | "Oh yes it is!" |
This usually continues ad nauseam, or until the character can remember his next line!
The audience is also required to point out the presence of mischievous creatures lurking behind any principals stranded in a scary situation by shouting "it's/they're behind you!". Of course, the miscreants will have gone by the time the character looks round, so the whole process must be repeated over and over again, whipping the kids up into an absolute frenzy!
At least one of the characters will relate a hard-luck story at some point in the show, and it is imperative to respond to this with a long, loud and resounding "Aah" to offer the audience's collective sympathy.
And finally, the baddies should be roundly booed at every appearance, and all virtuous acts must be cheered vigorously, especially the inevitable final act of Good Triumphing Over Evil.