Merry Christmas to you all!
I hope you've been good enough and I hope the red plump man has brought you tons of presents.
Today I'm writing the traditional Christmas blog entry and this time I have decided to feature pantomimes (or 'pantos', its short clipping).
Outside the UK, a pantomime is "any of various dramatic or dancing performances in which a story is told by expressive bodily or facial movements of the performers." However, in the UK, pantomimes are a bit more specific and, as seen on the online Merriam Webster, a pantomime is "a British theatrical entertainment of the Christmas season based on a nursery tale and featuring topical songs, tableaux, and dances." Yes, when the Christmas season is around the corner, it is mandatory to see a pantomime at the theatre. They typically begin in December and are usually on until New Year's Eve. But, what are the typical characteristics of British pantos?
- Reinterpretation of a fairy tale (Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladin,...)
- They star some jaded celebrities (or some still unknown celebs)
- Cross-dressing (men dressing as women, or the other way round)
- High camp, that is, exaggerated or artificial parodies
- Audience interaction: the audience is expected to take part in the action of the play and will play an active role by telling a character something, or warning about some forthcoming dangers... There's even singalong (audience should sing songs with the characters of the play)
- Even if ideally thought for children, these pantos are more often than not enjoyed by grown-ups
- Tradititonal elements of fairy tales: good-hearted protagonist, villain, fairies, animals...
