Definition of Pantomime
Pantomime, often called "panto," is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment, especially popular in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the Christmas and New Year season
. It is based on well-known fairy tales or nursery stories and features a mix of songs, dancing, slapstick comedy, and audience participation
Key Characteristics
- Storyline: Usually adapted from classic fairy tales or folk stories such as Cinderella , Aladdin , Jack and the Beanstalk , and Peter Pan
- Comedy and Slapstick: Includes gags, slapstick humor, and topical jokes to engage both children and adults
- Audience Participation: The audience is encouraged to interact by singing along, shouting phrases like "He's behind you!" and "Oh no, he isn't!"
- Gender Role Reversal: Features cross-gender casting, such as a "Principal Boy" played by a woman and a "Dame" (comic older woman) played by a man
- Stock Characters: Common roles include the villain, the good fairy, the principal boy and girl, comedy characters, and sometimes a person in an animal costume
- Visual Spectacle: Known for colorful, eccentric costumes and lively staging
Origins and History
Pantomime has its roots in ancient Greek theatre and was influenced by Italian commedia dell'arte, as well as British traditions like masques and music hall
. The modern British pantomime evolved from these influences, becoming a festive tradition centered around family-friendly entertainment
Pantomime vs. Mime
While "pantomime" in some countries refers to silent acting or miming, the British pantomime is a vibrant, often noisy theatrical event that includes spoken dialogue, singing, and music
. The term itself comes from Greek and Latin words meaning "imitator of all" or "all kinds of mime"
Summary Table
Feature| British Pantomime
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Genre| Musical comedy, family theatre
Typical Stories| Fairy tales, folk tales
Season| Christmas/New Year
Audience Participation| Essential (singing, shouting, call-and-response)
Key Elements| Slapstick, gender role reversal, stock characters
Origins| Ancient Greece, commedia dell’arte, British masques
In summary, pantomime is a lively, interactive, and comedic theatrical tradition rooted in British culture, blending classic stories with humor, music, and audience engagement
