English pantomime

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Lithograph, 1890

The English pantomime (English pantomime [ pæntəmaim ]) colloquially briefly Panto called, is a theatrical genre , which in the 17th century in the United Kingdom was and is also known in some other, mostly English-speaking countries today. It's kind of a mix of comedy , fairy tale and musical . The performances include singing, dancing, and slapstick , often by men disguised as women and vice versa, while the plot mostly follows a folk tale or a well-known legend.

The English word pantomime (the English pantomime) is not to be confused with the German word (die) pantomime , which usually describes an acting performance without words. As soon as it is made clear in a German text that English pantomime is being used, this can also be addressed as pantomime .

The name comes from ancient Greek παντόμιμος ( pantomimos , something like "who plays everything"). In ancient Greece and Rome there were plays for a single actor. Medieval popular hero games developed in the 17th century, under the influence of Italian and French actors from the Commedia dell'arte, the British tradition, which is still cultivated today, especially before Christmas .

English mimes are aimed at all ages. They contain colloquial and youth language, complicated word games and sexual hints for adults. Often whole families visit a panto . The sets are very colorful and decorative. A colorfully dressed narrator (called Buttons ) leads through the plot. He comments, but also participates in the action on the side of the good guys and tries to involve the audience. The other figures can also break the fourth wall . The audience is also involved, e.g. For example, they shout “Boo” when evil characters enter the stage, or “He is behind you!” When one character approaches the other from behind. The roles are woodcut-like, following a clear good / bad scheme, and are exaggerated , similar to a harlequinade . There are animal and fairy roles and a choir that can dance too. Traditionally, the "good guys" enter the stage from the right, the villains from the left. For example, slapstick occurs as a pie fight .

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Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Simon Trussler: The Cambridge Illustrated History of British Theater . Cambridge University Press, September 21, 2000, ISBN 978-0-521-79430-5 , p. 156.