part a history of pantomime Flashcards
the history of pantomime ……..
is considered complex and difficult to trace
it is widely regarded that…
modern day pantomime has its origins in Commedia Dell’Arte
Commedia Dell’arte was a classic Italian theatrical form that was…
extremely popular from the 1500s to the 1700s
According to an article from…
the Victoria and Albert museum
it was a form of theatre which used…
dance, music, tumbling, acrobatics and featured a cast of mischievous stock characters
Commedia Dell’Arte has had…
an impactful influence on many modern day theatre practices, such as pantomime
A key element of Commedia Dell’Arte was…
the utilization of the ensemble to further the story and enhance the viewing experience
Commedia Dell’Arte began to see it’s unfortunate decline…
towards the beginning of the 18th century
The decline was the result of…
many factors
Often, the witty dialogue of the performance was lost on audiences as…
they could not understand the Italian dialect
Once Commedia Dell’Arte became reliant on physical humour,
it began to lose its topical element and ceased to be relevant
Fortunately, many elements of Commedia Dell’Arte have survived,
and are present in British pantomime
By the 1700s,
Commedia Dell’Arte characters had made their way to the London stage (slide change)
Early pantomimes were mainly comprised of mime and music…
and the tales were often classic stories and fairytales.
For a long time, theatre licensing had restricted…
the use of spoken word in performances.
However, Victoria and Albert museum states that in 1843 this was lifted and
pantomime began to incorporate the use of dialogue comedy and audience participation.
By the late 1800s, pantomime was becoming increasingly popular and the most extravagant productions
could be hours long and included slapstick comedy, incredible costumes and casts of hundreds. (slide change)
Nowadays, the shows are predominantly targeted towards children and…
are still mostly based on fairy tales and folk legends.
According to pantomime Dame and historian Nigel Ellacott,
the most popular stories to perform are “Cinderella”, “Snow White”, and Aladdin.
Arguably, the success of pantomime is due to its ability to adapt with its topical humour,
while still managing to keep classic elements that the audience know and love.
What Drives the Energy of the Pantomime?
Many would argue that the energy of any pantomime comes from the
fierce rivalry between the hero and the villain.
This dynamic fuels the story and
captivates the audience.
Yet, the pantomime villain isn’t just any antagonist;
the villain is uniquely crafted with a distinct style that
combines exaggerated movement and sound to embody their role as the ultimate baddie.
The pantomime villain stands out through two defining aspects:
movement and sound.
These elements work together to create a character that is
as menacing as they are entertaining.
Classic pantomime villains often make their dramatic entrance from stage left,
a tradition rooted in ancient theatre.
Historically, stage right symbolized heaven, while stage left represented hell—
a fitting origin for the villain’s first appearance.
The villain’s movements need to be bold and commanding,
often focused on the use of their cape.
Dramatic Swishes: A wide, sweeping motion of the cape not only dominates the stage
but also draws the audience’s attention to the villain’s imposing presence.
Concealment: Using the cape to cover the lower half of their face evokes an air of mystery and deceit,
reinforcing the character’s sneaky, power-hungry persona.
Through these movements,
the villain asserts their dominance and conveys their evil nature without needing to say a word.
Sound is just as crucial in
bringing the pantomime villain to life.
Their signature laugh—an over-the-top, exaggerated cackle
is a trademark of their character.
This laugh is theatrical,
designed to provoke the audience.
Equally important is the
villain’s interaction with the audience.
They actively invite boos and hisses,
using the audience’s reaction to fuel their performance.
this exchange not only establishes the villain’s role as the antagonist but
also makes them a beloved interactive part of the pantomime experience.
By combining these elements of movement and sound,
the pantomime villain becomes an iconic character,
embodying the energy and spirit
that drives the entire performance.
