Pantomime (or panto) is a lively theatrical performance that has long been a favorite for audiences of all ages. Typically staged during the holiday season, these modern-day takes on classic fairy tales combine music, dancing, slapstick comedy, and audience participation to create an unforgettable experience. As educators, it’s essential to teach students about panto to help them understand this beloved theatrical tradition and promote cultural appreciation and creativity.
1. Introducing Panto to Your Students
Begin by providing a brief history of pantomime, discussing its origins in ancient Greek and Roman theater and its evolution into the modern-day performances we know today. Explain how it became popular in Britain during the 18th century and eventually spread to other parts of the world. Show your students pictures or videos of past panto performances, paying close attention to the colorful costumes, elaborate stage design, and exaggerated characters.
2. Explaining Key Panto Elements
Discuss key elements in any panto production:
– Principal Boy and Girl: Describe the main characters in a typical panto production as traditionally performed by women (for the male role) and men (for the female role).
– Pantomime Dame: Introduce your students to this extravagant female character played by a male actor in drag.
– Comic Lead: Explain how comic actors play crucial parts in presenting slapstick humor.
– Audience Participation: Emphasize the importance of audience engagement – cheering, booing, singing along – as an integral aspect of a panto experience.
3. Studying Famous Panto Productions
Provide examples of well-known panto productions like Cinderella, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk, or Peter Pan. Analyze these specific stories for elements like plot twists or comedic takes on classic fairy tale characters. Show students examples from different theaters worldwide to demonstrate variations on these stories.
4. Hands-On Activities
Encourage active learning by engaging your students in activities that allow them to explore the world of pantomime themselves:
– Panto improvisation: Divide students into groups, and have each group act out a short panto skit. Encourage students to use physical comedy, exaggerated facial expressions, and funny dialogue.
– DIY costumes: Allow students to create their own panto costumes using simple materials like cardboard, fabric, and paint. Discuss the importance of vibrant colors in panto attire, wigs, and stage makeup.
– Musical numbers: Teach your students popular panto songs, discussing composition, choreography, and the role of music in panto storytelling.
5. Field Trips
If possible, take your students to see a live pantomime performance or arrange for a visiting panto troupe to perform at your school. This real-life experience will help solidify the concepts you’ve discussed and demonstrate how they come together to create an engaging and entertaining production.
Conclusion
Teaching students about panto encourages creativity, cultural awareness, and a greater appreciation for the performing arts. By introducing them to this captivating form of theater, you’re not only providing an enriching educational experience but also fostering a love for live performance that can last a lifetime.
