A Very British Pantomime: Oh yes it is, oh no it’s not! Published Dec. 20, 2007 By The RAF Mildenhall Community Adviser's Office 100th Air Refueling Wing RAF MILDENHALL, England -- In the United Kingdom the word "Pantomime" means a form of entertainment, generally performed during the Christmas period. Most all cities and towns throughout the UK will have some form of Pantomime being performed in their theatres for about six to eight weeks at this time of year. Pantomime or "Panto" as it's more commonly known can be dated as far back as the 16th century to the Italian commedia dell' arte tradition, a populist kind of traveling theatre performed by wandering actors. Owing to the obvious language and communication problems, these performances focused on mime, slapstick comedy and outlandish costume. Pantomime is a traditional part of our British Christmas entertainment that has very definite ingredients, without which it ceases to become pantomime. Pantomime as we know it today is a show predominantly aimed at children. The plot itself is always based on a fairy tale or folk legend with the most popular subject being "Cinderella", followed by "Aladdin", "Dick Whittington" and "Snow White" with other popular titles being 'Jack & The Beanstalk", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Peter Pan". There is a set of requirements for each character. The hero is usually played by a woman, dressed as a man, and her role is known as 'The Principal Boy'. This tradition dates back to the days when it was thought to be 'contrary to the interests of public morality' for a man to put his arm around a woman's waist in an entertainment intended for the family. The clinging, helpless heroine would have even the most lukewarm feminist wringing her hands in despair, and she always has a comic, coarse, cheerful mother, known as "The Dame', who's played by a man. The pantomime horse inevitably has two people stumbling around inside it, and manages to be both comical and endearing. The production is broad farce and slapstick, but it's guaranteed to be lively, and invites lots of audience participation. The audience is encouraged to yell a warning to the hero (he's behind you!) every time the villain comes on stage, to cheer in support of the hero himself, and to join in the choruses of the songs. Panto's are colorful and noisy, a world of red noses, thick colourful makeup and baggy pants, in which virtue is always rewarded and the villain gets his just desserts, about as far from real life as you can get. The hero usually ends the play swearing eternal devotion to the heroine with a chaste handclasp and a song. Pantomimes appear across the UK every winter, both in the professional theatre and on the amateur stage, the structured nature of the production makes it easy for non-professionals to put on a splendid performance. There's nothing like a panto to cheer up the family on a cold winter's day. The following is a list of those performances closest to the base. Pantomime is so popular here that all performances sell out very quickly, particularly afternoon matinees, so be quick and book your tickets now! Many theatres have restaurant facilities, so if you want to eat there, either before or after the performance, enquire at the box office (ticket office) when you call to ask about ticket availability. 'Cinderella, at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, from December 7th through January 20th. Call 01284 769505 for details. 'Dick Whittington and his Cat' at the Norwich Theatre Royal, Norwich, from 19th December 19th through January 20th. For more information call 01603 630 000. 'Dick Whittington' at the Quay Theatre, Sudbury (pronounced 'key') from December 22nd through January 6th. Call the box office on 01787 374745 'Sleeping Beauty' at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, from December 6th through January 12th. Call 01206 573948 for tickets. 'Aladdin" at the Broadway Theatre in Peterborough, from December 12th through January 15th. Call 01733 316100 for tickets. 'Jack & The Beanstalk" at the Cresset Theatre in Peterborough, from December 14th through December 30th. The ticket office number is 01733 265705. 'Sleeping Beauty' at the Princess Theatre, Hunstanton, from December 6th through January 2nd. Call 01485 532252 for tickets. London Panto's "Fungus the Bogeyman" at Artsdepot, North Finchley, from November 24th to January 5th. www.artsdepot.co.uk/ For further London pantomime's follow the link below. www.bigpantoguide.co.uk/london.php Vicky Stayton Team Mildenhall Community Relations Adviser 01638 54 2254 Info sourced from: www.hissboo.co.uk/pantomimes.shtml