The Christmas Pantomime: Have You Seen a Panto?

Most people I speak to who are not British have no idea what a pantomime is, and if you don’t know, well, you’re missing out. For those unfamiliar, a pantomime is a festive, family-friendly theatre tradition, usually based on a fairytale, filled with slapstick comedy, songs, and plenty of audience participation. There is always a key character played by a drag queen whose costumes become more and more outrageous as the show goes on.

In short, going to a pantomime is a riot. It’s silly, corny, and delightfully ridiculous in all the right ways. You’ll “boo” the villains and cheer for the heroes. Candy will be thrown into the audience. You’ll shout “He’s behind you!” as the good guys hilariously fail to notice the danger lurking behind them. And if the creative team is clever, the script will be packed with local jokes—references to the town, major events, or the year’s gossip—alongside culturally popular songs and dance numbers often performed with charmingly amateur enthusiasm, which only adds to the fun.

Some typical examples of Panto stories are:

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
• Sleeping Beauty
• Cinderella
• Jack and the Beanstalk
• Peter Pan
• Aladdin
• Beauty and the Beast

Inside the show, the traditional elements of a pantomime are:

• Principal Boy
• Principal Girl
• The Villian
• Good/Bad Fairy
• Comedy Characters
• A Panto Animal
• Slapstick scene
• A Singalong (with the audience)

In Hong Kong, last week I took my family to the “Beauty and the Beast” Pantomime performed by the Hong Kong Players.

Hong Kong Players (HK Players) is one of Hong Kong’s oldest theatre companies dating back to the time when the territory was transforming itself from a small fishing harbour to the international city known and loved today. ​Formerly known as The Hong Kong Amateur Dramatic Club, the Hong Kong Players staged their first Christmas Panto in 1889, and have performed almost annually ever since.  ​The Players has always been a community theatre company, meaning that none of their performers are professional actors, but talented performers from within Hong Kong’s own community.

What began last year as an effort to introduce my Australian/American/expat children to the genre of pantomime has now become an annual family tradition. At an age when my kids are teenagers, mostly focused on fitting in with the world around them, the pantomime offers a rare chance for them (and their parents) to act like kids again and take part in a true community event. Both of my children had friends in the cast, and for me, as an industry professional, it’s a joy to simply show up and enjoy a production without having to lift a finger.

In the auditorium, my daughter rolled her eyes when “Golden” from Demon Pop Hunters came on, while my husband sang along enthusiastically (a private joke between them). My son gasped and giggled at the inappropriate innuendo he’s only now starting to understand, and I was happily singing every word of “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” There truly is something for everyone at a pantomime.

Over in the UK, almost three million people head to see a Pantomime each year and it is often the first live theatrical experience for many children. The Arts Minister, Ian Murray says “Pantomimes are a perfect way for communities to come together, championing the creativity and talent of people up and down the country and having fun. Our local panto makes us proud of where we’re from and proud of the people we share our communities with. And for those that say ‘oh, no it’s not’, they are wrong.” 

So, if you’ve never been to a pantomime, or if you haven’t been since you were a child, consider this your invitation. Seek one out. Take your family, friends or your neighbours and let yourself be swept up in the joy and chaos of it all. And if your community doesn’t have a pantomime? Well… why not start one? These productions thrive on enthusiasm far more than perfection. All you need is a story, a few willing performers, some outrageous costumes, and a little bit of mischief.

Get to it!

For those interested in further information and resources on Pantomimes, head over to Ben Crocker Pantomimes for Panto Scripts, Fees and Licences, Resources and more.

References: Arts Council England

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