Pantomime Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Pantomime is a branch of theatre in which the performer uses no voice but acts out the performance using only motion, body language and gesture. It is usually, but not always, done in white face. See also mime.
Pantomime is also used in the game of charades.
In the UK, pantomime (or panto) has come to mean a non-silent form of theatre, incorporating song, dance, buffoonery, and satire, traditionally performed at Christmas, with audiences consisting mainly of children. (See also Christmas Pie). Their cast often includes celebrities, e.g. Sir Ian McKellen playing 'Widow Twankey' this Christmas (2004) in Aladdin.
Pantomimes tend to be loosely based on traditional children's stories, and there are only a small number of basic themes and titles, the most popular being:
- Aladdin (combined with Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves)
- Babes in the Wood (often combined with Robin Hood)
- Cinderella
- Dick Whittington
- Jack and the Beanstalk
- Mother Goose
- Puss in Boots
- Sleeping Beauty
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- Snow White
- Peter Pan
- Rumpelstiltskin
- The leading male character (the "principal boy") is played by a young woman.
- An older woman (the "dame") is played by a man in drag.
- There is a great deal of audience participation, including calls of "he's behind you", and "oh yes it is" or "oh no it isn't".
Some like the Suisse troupe, Mummenschanz, take a more surreal approach to their performances.
Famous Mimes:
- Jean-Gaspard Debureau
- Marcel Marceau
- Samy Molcho
- Carlos Martínez
- Jean-Louis Barrault\
- Oleg Popow
- Pan Tau
- Mummenschanz
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