Christmas just isn't Christmas without a good pantomime. Oh yes it is! - oh no it isn't! (see what I'm doing here?). This quintessentially British tradition still holds a very special place in the hearts of millions, young and old, up and down the country; it seems we can't get enough of soap stars in tights and men dressed as women. This is usually the first exposure to theatre that we receive as children and people continue to go back year after year to indulge their inner child. Where else can you see a little old granny standing up in her seat and yelling at the top of her voice 'he's behind you'?
Pantomimes are having something of a renaissance at the moment. Rather than being viewed as a vehicle for Z-list celebrities trying to resuscitate their failing careers, panto has carved out a place for itself on the British theatre scene and many respected musical theatre stars can now be seen donning silly outfits for the festive season. This year Daniel Boys is appearing in Snow White in Stevenage, John Barrowman is the eponymous hero of Aladdin in Glasgow, and Over the Rainbow's Steph Fearon stars as Jasmine in another production of Aladdin in Buxton, to name just a few.
So in celebration of the great British pantomime, here is a wonderful article from Lyn Gardner looking at just why pantomimes have been so enduring. There's also a fun blog on A Younger Theatre about why panto may be tacky but there's nothing else quite like it. And for those of you getting panto cravings, I've found a video to keep you going until you can get down to your local theatre. Here is a feature from BBC Breakfast with long-time dame and pantomime favourite Christopher Biggins:
No comments:
Post a Comment