Acting Profile

Pantomime season is here, it is Christmas time and in the UK many people flock to the theatre to watch a Christmas pantomime. In America pantomime’s are known as mime, acting without speech.

Acting differs in pantomime and is usually very expressive and exaggerated. In this blog article I will try to give you some helpful advice about pantomime acting and I hope to outline some of the key factors in pantomime acting.

Well to begin with very young children can feature in pantomimes even if they don’t know how to read yet. Pantomime is the essence of acting, rather than focussing on the lines actors read the focus is concentrated on the actions. Actions are far more important in pantomime acting than in any other production. A pantomime could run on actions alone and never have the need for a script.

When helping young children prepare for a pantomime it is good to encourage them to be as outrageous as they want to be as you can always tone it down a bit afterwards. Teachers should help children to relax and encourage ideas from them as this will help to develop imagination. Pantomime is a great way to start out in the acting field and is especially good for children. Any storyline can be turned into a pantomime with a bit of planning and imagination.

There are about 5 shows that usually go on a person’s Christmas list:

• Aladdin
• Cinderella
• Dick Whittington
• Sleeping Beauty
• The Wizard Of OzThere may be more pantomime’s you like to watch especially if you are a lover of pantomime’s, but these are usually the most popular.

  If you look at the pantomime’s above you will notice that they each one is bright, big and exaggerated. It has a memorable story line with good, catchy songs. If you have ever been to a pantomime then you will know how entertaining, funny and comical they can be. Each one has its own cast usually wearing big, bright costumes and silly wigs. The whole idea of the pantomime is to be outrageous and tell a story in an exaggerated manner.

  Pantomime has it’s roots way back in history probably around the middle ages. It has been recognised as a traditional comic play that travels around British theatres during the Christmas season.

  Occasionally a theatre will change the script of a pantomime and come up with their own version of the play. Children love to see pantomime’s at Christmas though some younger children will get bored. Pantomime’s usually appeal to kids aged from around 5 years old and upwards. The script usually contains adult humour as well as children’s.

  

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