Pantomime has its roots in ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ , a 16th-century Italian entertainment which used dance, music, tumbling, acrobatics and featured a cast of mischievous stock characters. Harlequin was the quick-witted miscreant who carried a magic bat, wore a mask and dressed in clothes made of patches.
What are pantomime storylines usually based on?
Pantomimes take place around the Christmas period and are nearly always based on well known children’s stories such as Peter Pan, Aladdin, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty etc. Pantomimes are performed not only in the best theatres in the land but also in village halls throughout Britain.
Where did the pantomime stories and characters come from?
Pantomime is often seen as something quaint, something utterly British, but its origins lie in warmer climes. It developed from the Italian street theatre of the Commedia dell’arte in the 16th Century , with comedic moments, stock characters and great physicality.
Who started pantomime?
A rough, uneducated man called John Rich played a key role in the emergence of pantomime. Rich was a dancer, acrobat and mime artist and during the 1720s he was managing a theatre at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. What he created was a new kind of entertainment.
When did pantomimes originate?
When did pantomime begin? Pantomime as a type of theatre, is classified as Commedia dell’ Arte, a theatre genre originating in renaissance Italy. Beginning in the 16th Century in Venice , it was first popular amongst Royals and commoners.
What is the most popular pantomime?
Cinderella is one of the most well-known pantomimes in the world and is based on a traditional fairytale of the ‘rags to riches’ story of an orphaned girl living with her stepmother and evil stepsisters.
Why is it called pantomime?
The word pantomime was adopted from the Latin word pantomimus , which in turn derives from the Greek word παντόμιμος (pantomimos), consisting of παντο- (panto-) meaning “all”, and μῖμος (mimos), meaning a dancer who acted all the roles or all the story.
Why is pantomime at Christmas?
But pantomime really began as an entertainment for adults . It can be traced back to the ancient Roman ‘Saturnalia’ midwinter feast, at which everything was supposed to be turned upside-down. Men dressed up as women and women as men.
What are the 5 rules of pantomime?
- Make the scene clear. Rule 1.
- Exaggerate facial expressions. Rule 2.
- Keep each motion precise. Rule 3.
- Keep scenes entertaining. Rule 4.
- Don’t Talk!!!! Rule 5.
Is there pantomimes in America?
Although pantomime was not frequently produced in the US during the 20th century and is not well known in America , productions of pantomime, both professional and amateur, have been seen nearly every year somewhere in the US over the past couple of decades.
Why is the pantomime dame played by a man?
At the time traditional folk stories were replacing classical sketches as the basis of panto, and the cross-dressing of the commedia evolved into a key part of the fun. Thus it was that the tradition emerged of a principal boy played by a young woman, and a co-starring dame played by an old man .
Why is pantomime so popular?
The panto we know and love today – with its slapstick humour and audience participation – has its roots in Italian street theatre of the commedia dell’arte in the 16th Century. ... It was Rich’s Harelquinades that developed the pantomime traditions of slapstick, chases, speed and transformations.
What is British pantomime?
A panto is a traditional fairy tale complete with songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and lots of audience participation. The British love a good panto. ... The centerpiece of any panto is The Dame, a comic, larger than life character, played by a man.
Where did the term slapstick come from?
The phrase comes from the term battacchio called the ‘slap stick’ in English . It is a club-like object composed of two wooden slats, and produces a loud smacking noise when struck, though little force is transferred to the person being struck.
In which country is it still a very popular form of mime?
Flash to the Present: Mime Today
Since its roots in 15th century Italy , mime has been tied to street performance and busking. Today you can find mime artists performing to crowds of onlookers in various cities around the world. But the genre continues to be a favourite with audiences at the theatre as well.
What are the 3 origins of Theatre?
The theatre of ancient Greece consisted of three types of drama: tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play . The origins of theatre in ancient Greece, according to Aristotle (384–322 BCE), the first theoretician of theatre, are to be found in the festivals that honoured Dionysus.
