Oh no, he didn't! Oh yes, he did!!

Oh no, he didn't!  Or, Oh yes, he did!! These are words that ring out from both children and adults alike during the many Pantomime performances at this time of year in UK.  No, we haven't all gone mad.  Never heard of a Panto or Pantomime?  Well, this could be your lucky day!!

Pantomime, as we know it today is a theatrical show predominantly aimed at children, based on a popular fairy tale or folk legend. The most popular subjects being "Cinderella", followed by "Aladdin", "Dick Whittington" and "Snow White".  Although any story linked with a fairy tale or traditional children's story such as Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk etc can be used.

In the UK, the word "Pantomime" means a form of entertainment, generally performed during the Christmas season during the months of December and January.  Most cities and towns throughout the UK have a form of Pantomime. The origins of British Pantomime or "Panto" as it is known date back to the middle ages, taking on board the traditions of the Italian "Commedia dell’ Arte, the Italian night scenes in which actors concentrated on miming along with song and dance, and British Music hall to produce an intrinsic art form that constantly adapted to survive up to the present day.  Panto has been attempted abroad, usually with a small amount of success. Not surprisingly it has proved popular in countries such as Canada, Australia.  However, in America this very British art form has been less popular, although in 1868 a production of "Humpty Dumpty" ran for over 1,200 performances at the Olympic Theatre, New York, making it the most successful Pantomime in American history!

Pantomime has always combined many elements of theatre throughout its existence.  By adapting itself it has managed to survive.  The main element includes the most important one of tradition with a strong well known story line.  The tale has to be well told, incorporating the all important elements of good battling against evil, and emerging triumphant. In this respect, the concept varies little from the medieval morality plays, performed on village greens. To this day "tradition" says that the Pantomime villain should be the first to enter, from the "dark side", stage left, followed by his adversary the good fairy from stage right. This echoes the tradition in medieval times when the entrances to heaven and hell were placed on these sides.  The evil character is booed and hissed at as he enters.  Whenever he asks the audience whether something is true or not they will always respond in the opposite.  Hence the 'oh yes, you did' versus the 'oh no, you didn't' tradition.

Another important element of a good Panto is the slap stick humour.  This could be derived from the original Harlequin character who would know when the scenery should be changed, and it is believed he would "Clap"  his slapstick to indicate that this should happen, in the form of an audible cue.  It could well be the start of the old superstition that it was bad luck to clap your hands behind the scenes at the back of the stage for fear that the heavy scenery would be moved at an inappropriate time thus causing an accident.

One of the main characters in a Panto is the Pantomime Dame, usually the hero’s mother, such as Widow Twankey in "Aladdin" or "Dame Trott" in Jack and the Beanstalk.  She was a creation that emerged from the early Music Halls of the Victorian era. 

The Ugly Sisters differ from the Dame in that they have to tread the thin tightrope between being hugely comic characters, and yet still remain the villains of the piece.  They were originally played by women but from the mid 1800 men took on the characters.

Tradition also states that the principal boy role should be played by a woman and not a man.    The Victorian male, living in a society where even the legs of the parlour piano were covered for modesty’s sake , craved the vision of a well turned calf, or shapely ankle.

Whilst ladies were corseted, crinolined or bustled on the street, artistic license allowed ladies upon the stage to wear costumes that revealed shapely legs in tights on condition that they were playing a male role!

Seldom featured, and yet indispensable, Pantomime could not survive without its chorus of dancers, and indeed its troupes of juveniles or “Babes” as they are known.  Today, for reasons of economy the troupe will consist of 6 -8 boys and girls.

In addition to the usual characters on stage modern technology in the form of computer graphics has been used to be incorporated in the performances to enhance lighting effects and sounds to help keep the show as modern and up to date as possible.

And so, my friends, you have a very brief recount of the traditional British Panto!  For many years to come it will remain as the traditional activity for the Christmas period.  A visit to a pantomime may be a child’s first experience of live theatre. If that experience is magical enough, it can leave a lasting impression. In a world where children are surrounded by computer games and videos, DVD's and the all pervasive influences of television, a visit to a pantomime could be a catalyst.

The tradition will continue, children will shout "Oh yes it is!" as loudly as ever, and, when the actor in the white sheet waves his arms behind our hero and goes "Whoo" Whooo!", children of all ages will still cry out "Its-behind-you!"

Whilst I was shopping in France!

The other day Hubby and I went on a day trip to France.  Nothing unusual there since we tend to go every 8-10 weeks to stock up on wine/beer and some of that lovely French produce.  The vegetables really are fresher than those we have the opportunity to buy in our supermarkets.  You can tell, because not only do they smell fresh, they are not all the uniform size or colour and they only last a few days so you know they have not been pumped full of chemicals to preserve them.  The taste is so good too!

The main aim of the journey was to stock up further supplies for our daughter's wedding in August next year.  It is cheaper to provide our own wine and pay corkage than to purchase the wine on offer from the venue.  Corkage, I hear you say?  Screw 'toppage' more like.  Most bottles these days seem to come with a screw top which is much better.  How often did the cork spoil the wine or when you were trying to extract the cork, did it split?  Personally, I prefer the screw top since when I have had a couple of glasses I can just screw the top right back on and prevent the wine spoiling overnight!

One point, and the real reason for telling you all about our French trip is that whilst we were going around the hypermarket in Calais, called Auchan, a group of youngsters entered the store with their teachers.  The kids were about 11 to 12 years in age.  Their mission was to engage with customers in the store and ask them a few questions, if people were willing.

Two girls approached me tentatively asking in a very good form of English if I would answer a few of their questions?  One of them had a clip board and held the questions under which she was to write my responses whilst the other asked the questions.  Of course, I complied!!

There were the usual questions, did we celebrate Christmas, where did we celebrate it and how?  I was asked what our Poppy Day was all about?  I was able to answer that we commemorated Poppy Day to remember all our fallen heroes in previous wars.  Did I celebrate Halloween?  If so, what manner of celebrations took place.  I explained that in UK it was not as prevalent as in USA but that I always had a bucket of sweets ready for trick or treaters.  After a few more questions, I was asked......  did I follow American politics?  What did I think of Obama?  I explained that I did follow the politics and that I thought Obama was a good choice, anyone would be better after Bush (apologies to anyone who does not believe this)!!  To which they smiled a wry smile!

Last but not least I was asked if I believed in Father Christmas?  Of course I do, I replied!!!

The girls were charming, well spoken and intent on creating the right image.  Their English was exceptional.  After complimenting them on their achievements we parted, each wishing us a very happy Christmas and New Year.

There must have been about 20 or so kids doing this in the store and they were a pleasure to speak with and to watch.  If only they would all grow up to be the same in adulthood!