Definition of Pantomime: A theatrical entertainment, mainly for children, which involves music, topical jokes, and slapstick comedy and is ​ based on a fairy tale or nursery story, usually produced around Christmas.

A typical Pantomime storyline: Normally, a pantomime is an adapted fairytale so it is usually a magical love story which involves something ​ going wrong (usually the fault of an evil baddy) but the ending (often after a fight between good and evil) is always happy and results in true love.

Key characters in Pantomime: The female love interest, e.g Snow White, Cinderella etc The Handsome Prince e.g Prince Charming The evil character e.g the evil Queen in Snow White The faithful sidekick - e.g Buttons in Cinderella The Pantomime Dame - provides most of the comedy - an exaggerated female, always played by a man for laughs

How to act in a pantomime style: 1. Your character is an over-the-top type’, not a real person, so exaggerate as much as you can, in gesture, voice and movement 2. Speak to the audience - if you are a ‘Goody’, your character must be likeable or funny. If you are a ‘Baddy’, insult your audience, make them dislike you from the start. 3. There is always a narrator - make sure she knows speaks confidently and knows the story well. 4. Encourage the audience to be involved by asking for the audience’s help, e.g “If you see that naughty boy will you tell me?” 5. If you are playing that ‘naughty boy’, make eye contact with the audience and creep on stage. This should encourage classic Pantomime lines from the audience such as “He’s Behind you!” 6. If possible, include dance and song - this is an over-the-top comedy style play - and has a lot in common with a Musical. If you have musical or Dance skills, use them in your pantomime!