It’s the festive season, and you might be planning to catch a pantomime. These lively productions are always great fun to watch, and they are also fantastic opportunities for aspiring actors to showcase their skills. Often an amateur theatre group will put on a pantomime at this time of the year.
They are a great way for adults taking part time acting classes in Liverpool to combine experience of the stage with their other commitments. Here’s a look at the noble history of the pantomime, and how you can join in the fun. Remember that many theatre groups start planning next year’s panto as early as January, so it’s the ideal time to brush up your skills.
The Great British panto tradition
Pantomimes are usually based on a classic children’s story or a fairy tale such as Snow White, Dick Whittington, Cinderella or Robin Hood. They are rowdy and raucous family entertainment, with slapstick humour for the kids and bawdy double entendres for the adults. They usually include an element of singing and dancing and plenty of special effects.
The biggest productions command major stars from the entertainment industry, but there are hundreds of smaller regional pantos that are always on the lookout for skilled performers.
There’s a variety of roles available. If the main character is male, it’s traditionally played by a female actor, while the Panto Dame (usually the hero’s mother) is played by a male actor. There’s also usually a co-principal boy or girl who is the hero’s love interest, and a comic lead who tends to have good slapstick skills and encourages audience participation.
Other classic panto roles include the villain and their sidekick, double acts such as the Ugly Sisters, and a Fairy Godmother. There’s also of course the role of the pantomime animal! This is a job for actors with plenty of stamina.
For newer actors, there’s also opportunities to be cast as an ensemble performer. These actors will take part in singing and dance routines, and may have small speaking roles or understudy one of the main performers. It’s a great opportunity to get your foot in the door with live stage performances, without being thrown in at the deep end.
Tips for a great audition
If you fancy giving Panto a go, then make sure you are familiar with the story and characters, and decide which role suits your personality and skillset. As previously mentioned, if it’s your first audition for a proper acting role, then starting with a more low-key part such as chorus or ensemble might be the best approach.
Do not underestimate the skills and abilities required to be a good pantomime actor: it may be for laughs, but this requires a lot of energy and positivity. Be upbeat and the best version of yourself to impress the panel.
