Panto Preview Pantomime season is nearly upon us once again… Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Ahem… Originally, Pantomimes weren’t just restricted to Christmas time, but happened throughout the year, in conjunction with religious holidays or the seasons. 200 years ago Pantomimes were very different, being mostly centred around dancing and music but over the years, audience participation and the Pantomime Dames were introduced and Panto became what it is today. Although often considered to be a British phenomenon, Pantomime actually deve<strong>lo</strong>ped from the Italian commedia dell’arte tradition, involving a part improvised, part scripted play that also paid homage to Greek comedies that date back to 400 BC. The idea of role reversal – a man playing the Dame and a woman playing the principal lead character – is thought to have its roots in Tudor tradition, where a “Feast of Fools” celebration would be directed by a commoner. Amazingly, this custom may have come from Rome where masters and servants would swap roles for a short time. Despite its roots, Panto does feel like a uniquely British phenomenon and can be baffling to those unfamiliar with it. Apparently, Kevin Spacey (actor and director at the Old Vic between 2003-2015) was “bewildered” by Pantomime when he first experienced it, prompting Sir Ian McKellen to reassure him by saying “So many disparate elements of theatre are on display…often stretching back to Shakespeare and the origins of Western theatre tradition and yet unique to Britain”. The truth is, that whilst Panto is not a universally popular form of theatre, it f<strong>lo</strong>urishes in Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and even Jamaica, where Panto combines with Anansi folk<strong>lo</strong>re. Next time you’re at the theatre for a Pantomime and you’re shouting “It’s behind you!!” – remember that there’s a <strong>lo</strong>t of history behind Panto too!! Most importantly – Join in and have fun!! A more relaxed approach to pantomime this Christmas at the Theatre Royal Nottingham The Theatre Royal Nottingham’s sensational family pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, will star much-<strong>lo</strong>ved TV actress, ex-Loose Women presenter, and Nottingham native, Sherrie Hewson a<strong>lo</strong>ngside television and stage star Ben Richards, zany impressionist and comedy actor Ben Nickless and pantomime dame extraordinaire, Andrew Ryan. The show will be packed with all of the ingredients the Theatre Royal’s panto audience have come to expect; breathtaking special effects, hilarious comedy routines, stunning sets and costumes and quality entertainment for all the family. For very young children, it’s worth considering one of the two special ‘relaxed performances’ on offer at the venue on Wednesday 10 January. A relaxed performance contains all the same elements as a standard performance but is specially adapted to suit customers with a wide range of disabilities and is also ideal for families bringing very young babies to their first pantomime. Find out more at www.trch.co.uk/relaxed www.trch.co.uk/beauty-the-beast Box Office 0115 989 5555 24 Primary Times OCTOBER HALF TERM 20<strong>17</strong> | www.primarytimes.net/nottinghamshire
www.primarytimes.net/nottinghamshire | OCTOBER HALF TERM 20<strong>17</strong> Primary Times 25
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