14 minute read
PANTO PERFORMANCES
Family-friendly morality tales
Emma Clegg considers pantomime’s characters, wonders why it is such a festive family addiction, and asks panto veteran Jon Monie how it has changed over the years and whether it’s the villains that are the most crucial factor
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The pantomime is a timeless family tradition. Whether it’s Peter Pan, Cinderella or Aladdin, you know you will encounter the flamboyant cross-dressing dame, the innocent povertystricken girl, the scowling villain, the handsome prince, and the sparkling fairy godmother in some narrative form, and if you’re lucky the pantomime horse or cow. They are familiar characters and stories; there are no surprises, just an explosive, entertaining over-the-top performance that feels part of a long-established canon.
This theatrical form has, however, gone on a journey –the roots of pantomime lie in a style of classical theatre called Commedia Dell ‘Arte, popular in Italy throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, where characters appeared, representing recognisable social stereotypes, such as the clown, the servant, and the lovers. The troupes would typically perform – including dance, music, tumbling and acrobatics – in a town’s main square or at court and would play out conventional plot lines, with much of it was improvised so that the actors could make the drama colourful with relevant local news or scandals. By the early 18th century, Commedia characters including Harlequin, Scaramouche, Pantaloon, Pierrot, Punch and Columbine began to appear on the London stage, with performances set to music.
Under the direction of actor manager David Garrick (1717–1779) Harlequin started to speak, and had new stories written based on old English folk stories like Dick Whittington and Robin Hood. After 1843, before which the use of spoken word was restricted, the format developed again, using witty puns, word play and audience participation, along with fairy-tale characters, magical animals, principal boys and pantomime dames. Other stories derived from European, Middle Eastern and Asian folk tales and legends – Goldilocks, Little Red Riding Hood, Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Cinderella all have their origins here. Then in the 1860s Music Hall performers started to be cast in pantomimes, bringing with them a celebrity status that pulled in new audiences. That device has remained a winning one and over the years Bath has seen stars such as Jimmy Mac, Frankie Howerd, Arthur English, Jon Pertwee, Melvyn Hayes, Eric Sykes, Derek Nimmo, Terry Scott, June Whitfield, and Danny La Rue treading the boards.
Panto veteran Jon Monie is appearing in the Bath Theatre Royal pantomime for the 19th time this year as Buttons in Cinderella (he keeps count because of the posters going all the way up his stairs). He now writes the pantomime scripts for UK Productions who are responsible for the productions in Bath, producing completely new versions from start to finish. Jon says his mantra when writing is, “Keep it traditional, keep it within budget, and ensure there are jokes for every age group. With Cinderella I knew what set and costumes they had, so I didn’t try and rewrite the rule book, but I went for lots of new jokes and I tried to make Cinderella more feisty – I think the female principal girl can be a bit underwritten and I had a bit of fun with the prince and Dandini and introduced a few set pieces that hadn’t been done in Bath for a long time.”
Some pantomimes have lost their relevance over the years and others have been newly introduced. Jon explains, “There are a small core of titles which are eternally popular, and others fall by the wayside. So some titles such as Mother Goose, Babes in the Wood or Robinson Crusoe have fallen out of favour, because if children don’t know the stories they don’t want to go and see them. So Beauty and the Beast has now become really popular as a pantomime but that’s the Disney effect. The story goes back to the 1700s but it was only when Disney made it an animated film that it became well known. So there is an increase in stories like The Little Mermaid, Shrek or Frozen, which seem to be pushing out some of the more traditional ones.”
So this brings things a bit more up to date, but what is it about the traditional pantomime that has seen it survive into our modern era, where it’s phones and tech and AI, rather than fairy godmothers and evil pirates, that dominate our culture?
The stars and the characters are key, but it is the driving moral of the stories that we love, following a simple narrative arc with a calm beginning, a middle where tension, conflict and the momentum of the story build to a peak, and the finale where the conflict is resolved. This is where the forces of good and evil come into play. The narrative of any story is about change and transformation and pantomime does it quite literally in black and white. In Jon Monie’s words, “I think the strongest pantomime stories are those where the central character goes on an emotional journey, and has some moment of inner revelation.”
It is the villain that controls this arc – the villain and the hero are foils for each other, but it’s the villain, the force of antagonism, who controls the drama. The comforting part for the audience is that the villain follows a
Mark Buffery as Ugly Sister Dilly and Jon Monie as Ugly Sister Dolly in Cinderella in 2006. Photograph by Matt Cardy
script that we know ends with his selfish plans being foiled and the hero achieving his dreams. Without him (or her) the hero wouldn’t seem so morally superior, we wouldn’t understand the dangers and challenges faced by the characters and there would be nobody to hate, or to defend. Aladdin needs his Abbanazar, Cinderella needs her Ugly Sisters, Peter Pan needs Captain Hook – these villains carry us on a journey where we know the ending, but want to work through it by enjoying the spectacle, clapping and singing and shouting “He’s behind you!” And seeing the hero of the pantomime face so many challenges, the observers – including a host of small people, either wide-eyed with wonder or jumping up and down in their seats on a chocolate high –develop empathy.
Jon talks about these opposing forces: “Villains and goodies both have a huge part to play. I love the fact that the villains should always come on from Stage Left, never from Stage Right – that goes back to the medieval plays where Stage Left is seen as hell and Stage Right as heaven. So you have good on one side and evil on the other.
“The villains are the most fun to play, but without that morality contest which runs through a lot of pantomimes, it would lose its depth and intrigue. You need to see the central character having to wrestle between good and bad and make the right choices. Obviously nothing bad ever happens to these people but jealousy, betrayal and envy are universal emotions and feelings that we are all susceptible to and it’s fun to play them out in a comedic, over the top way.”
Cinderella, this year’s Theatre Royal Bath production, is said to be the most popular pantomime of all. Jon explains why: “Cinderella exists in almost every culture around the world, so most children know it. And it has just got everything – it’s got a wonderful romance, it’s got a story of adventure and self-discovery, it’s got the villains with the Ugly Sisters who are the most glamorous of all the baddies, and you have Buttons who is eternally loveable. So it ticks a lot of the panto boxes.
“People forget that the sisters are the villains, because they get so many of the laughs with the costumes and the make-up and the banter between the two of them, and they get all the best lines. They are fun to write for and they are fun to play. All baddies get laughs but nobody gets killer lines like the Ugly Sisters.”
Jon worked for years with actor, director and writer Chris Harris, who he says was a huge influence on him: “Chris taught me that pantomime should always be larger than life and twice as real. The larger than life bit is the easy bit, but the twice as real is the crucial part. The story is nonsense really but you still have to take it seriously as an actor and play the truth of the scene otherwise the children will see through you.”
Check out just how twice as real it is this festive season. And test your knowlege of past villains and good guys (mostly fairies) who always save the day (see overleaf). n
ABOVE, TOP: Jon Monie as Smee and Paul Nicholas as Captain Hook in Peter Pan in 2018. Photograph by Freia Turland ABOVE: Jon Monie as Idle Jack, R Colson as the Alderman and Chris Harris as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington in 2011. Photograph by Freia Turland
Cinderella runs from 16 December to 9 January 2022 at Theatre Royal Bath. Daily shows at 2pm and 7pm or 1pm and 5pm. theatreroyal.org.uk
Rediscover the Magic of Bath this Christmas
There really is no better place to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year than Bath…
Every year at Christmas, Bath sparkles with glittering lights and the streets are filled with festive spirit. This year will see the return of some of the Christmas activities we know and love, as well as some exciting new additions.
Discover Magical Illuminations
Some of Bath’s most iconic streets and buildings will be brought to life with magical illuminations throughout December, as part of the Bath Christmas Light Trail. There will be extra sparkle in Abbey Churchyard, Milsom Street, Kingsmead Square and many other city centre spots. Until 26th December, Bath Abbey will be glowing with the addition of Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon, with Christmas carols, storytelling and moon-gazing taking place with the stunning seven-metre moon as a backdrop. A world of enchantment, magic and good cheer awaits you at the American Museum & Gardens from 9th to 31st December. Be transported on an after-dark adventure through spectacular light displays which will emblazon the house, gardens and woodland in glorious seasonal colour.
Have an Environmentally Friendly Christmas
Father Christmas and his elves have joined the upcycling revolution! This year, they invite children to visit the Elves’ Swapshop at 5 Old Bond Street, where they are training the Share and Repair volunteers to refurbish toys and give them a new, loving home. Children are welcomed along to see the fabulous Elf-O-Matic toy upcycler in action by bringing a toy to be gifted to another lucky child, and will get to take home a toy of their choice. Tickets are available for a workshop demo and a singalong with the elves.
Explore Marvellous Markets
There will be plenty of opportunity to meet and buy from local makers in Bath this Christmas. After a break of nearly two years, Bath Artisan Market is back and running every day in Queen Square until 19th December. Until 19th December, a selection of local Artisan Makers will be on show in Bath’s Abbey Quarter, displaying their unique crafts. From blankets and Christmas decorations to brownies and jewellery, there will be plenty of wonderful gifts to choose from.
(credit: Bath BID)
Get Your Skates On
After a year away, Bath on Ice is back! Head to Royal Victoria Park until 3rd January for a spin around the rink, wood-fired pizza and seasonal drinks at Moguls Bar, and a round of Glow Golf.
Be Wowed by a Festive Favourite
The best-loved pantomime of them all returns to the Theatre Royal Bath this Christmas! With a brand-new joke-filled script, Cinderella will offer family fun and festive frivolity from 16th December to 19th January.
Browse all Christmas events and activities at
welcometobath.co.uk/christmas n
Great gifting at: London Camera Exchange
Looking for the perfect Christmas present?
London Camera Exchange in Bath have been providing that perfect gift for over 30 Christmases now, surprising and delighting thousands of recipients over the festive season.
LCE’s (that’s London Camera Exchange) have a huge array of Camera, lenses, Binoculars, telescopes and accessories. With cameras, telescopes and binoculars all starting from under £99 to over £5000 (for professional ranges) and featuring all the top brands you will certainly be spoilt for choice.
If you wanted to make your money go that little bit further they also always have an extensive used section of quality items. These are tested and of course come with the reassurance of 6 months guarantee.
As the name suggest LCE are always happy to consider a part exchange of your existing equipment. Mark and team are always happy to offer advice and with their many years of experience are pretty adept at problem solving.
Previously a family run company, earlier this year LCE changed to being employee-owned; meaning that the company now actually belongs to the workers. The staff at Bath –along with the other 25 branches –are immensely proud and excited for this impressive new venture.
The LCE team have always liked to be fully involved with local and optical affairs. Sadly recent events have restricted shows and the suchlike but the store looks forward to a time where once again they can hold shows and special days to advise and give demonstrations. In the meantime visit the store for superb advice, great products and to find the perfect gift. Situated just by the Abbey, LCE is easy to find You will be assured of a very warm welcome. n
London Camera Exchange Bath 13 Cheap Street, Bath BA1 1NB Tel: 01225 462234
ANTIQUE JEWELLERY REPAIRS AND REMODELLING
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS
with a special gift
DAZZLE WITH MISTLETOE MAGIC
From Nicholas Wylde’s Dazzle collection, a small Mistletoe pendant in 18ct white gold, with brilliant Pave-set diamonds (0.14ct) with cultured pearl, £940.
Matching studs in 18ct white gold, 0.28ct brilliant diamonds with cultured pearl, £1,000.
Nicholas Wylde, Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Web: nicholaswylde.com
LET IT FLOW
This highly sought-after Sterling silver flow bangle is a little different and makes a fabulous gift, £59.95
A VINTAGE LOCKET
GOLD & PLATINUM DISCS
This Victorian 18ct gold diamond pearl enamel locket is a fine solid gold locket. Weighing 35 grams of solid 18ct Gold with robust 9ct Gold frames it comes complete with its original fitted leather antique jewellery box. Rich in detail, featuring a blue Enamel inlay and lustrous pearls and rose-cut diamond accents. The 18ct gold also has a lovely matte-satin finish, making this all the more pleasing for the eye. £2,587. See this and more fine vintage jellewery at Lillicoco.com Web: lillicoco.com
HOW MANY GOLD RINGS? Beautiful 18ct yellow gold hammered stacking rings set with rainbow sapphires. Starting from £875 each. Gold & Platinum Studio , 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Web: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk
Disc necklaces in gold and platinum starting from £525.
Gold & Platinum Studio , 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Web: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk
IVY EARRINGS
Silver Shop of Bath, 25 Union Passage, Bath BA1 1RD Web: thesilvershopofbath.co.uk
Handmade, oxidised and gold plated silver, bi-colour earrings, £120 Icarus jewllery, 3 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AX Web: icarusjewellery.com
A MULTI COLOURED SAPPHIRE DIAMOND NECKLACE
This ravishing 18ct white gold coloured sapphire and diamond necklace is set with a total of 1.52cts of multicoloured precision cut sapphires. The dazzling oval of coloured Sapphires is highlighted by a two micro-set diamond bezels, with a total diamond weight of 0.36cts. The chain is 16 inches in length, £2,950. Orton Jewellery 6-7 Market Street, Bradfordon-Avon, BA15 1LH Web: ortonjewellery.co.uk
STAR STUDDED
Sterling silver shining star necklace, £45 and matching Sterling silver shining star stud earrings £30. Silver Shop of Bath, 25 Union Passage, Bath BA1 1RD Web: thesilvershopofbath.co.uk
A STAR CLUSTER This platinum rose-cut diamond halo cluster ring is an absolute dazzler, £2430.
Jody Cory, 9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY Web: jodycory.co.uk
