The Panto

A uniquely English holiday experience is the Panto. Short for "pantomime," this dramatic production originated in the 17th and 18th centuries with traveling troupes of Italian and French actors who didn't speak English (see a History of British Pantomime). The humor of the productions, therefore, relied a great deal on "slapstick" and other visual elements. That slapstick tradition continues, but the name is misleading because the actors today can, and definitely DO speak English.

No, it's not a mistake: Prince Charming (right) and his man servant are both played by female actors.
(Rob't Day photo from http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk)

Panto is primarily for children and is based on a small handful of very traditional children's stories. The Nottingham Playhouse production this year was Cinderella. But Panto productions are put on in almost every city and town in England at this time of year, and each picks its own basic story.

And the wicked step-sisters are played by male actors!
(Rob't Day photo from http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk)

Panto has a number of traditional elements that make it different from the Disney versions of these tales. The most important of these is that the main male roles are played by women, while some of the main female roles are played by men. Yes, it's true -- this English Christmas tradition revolves around men in drag!

At least Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother are women played by women.
(Rob't Day photo from http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk)

Another tradition is that Panto is highly interactive, with the audience essentially playing a role in the play. The characters frequently address the audience directly, and expect villains to be booed and heroes to be cheered.

Our students getting into the act
(note English girl [center, in the back] looking at us as if we're going overboard).

Some of the humor that goes over children's heads is based on current events and local references. Our friends, the Juggins, came along to help translate the jokes from English to American. Even though there is nothing quite like it in the U.S., we managed to get into the spirit -- sometimes more than the Brits!