How to produce a Christmas panto

It is tradition in the UK for schools to perform a play at Christmas time, adapting a fairy tale or other well-known story for a general audience, encouraging participation. Here is how you can write and host a Christmas Panto(mime) in your own home to the delight of all.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• computer
• copier
• stapler
• colored pens
• hats & scarves
• willing participants

How to write and produce a Christmas Panto(mime)

1. Choose your story.
   What story are you going to tell? The traditional classic in England is "Cinderella". A stunning version of "Alice in Wonderland" is enjoying a successful run in London right now (Winter 2007/08). "Peter Pan" is another perennial favorite. I adapted "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens for Christmas Eve 2007. Those are just a few ideas...
2. Know your cast and crew.
   One of the hard things about the holidays is that people come and go randomly. Choose the moment when you know the most people will be gathered and looking for something to do. Make sure to have a part for everyone who can read. If extra folks show up, they can be audience. If somebody doesn't show up, give that part to somebody else... stay flexible.
3. Write your script.
   The script should be 10-20 pages long (at 1 min per page)
   Use space-and-a-half spacing: single spacing is too hard to read; double spacing is too wasteful.
   Type the character names and actions in BOLD face type.
4. Make copies.
   Make sure that everyone with a part has a script.
5. Mark your scipts
   For "A Christmas Carol" I had seven players play almost 20 parts, so I had to give most actors more than one part to play. I marked each script so that each person's parts were highlighted throughout the script, marking the character names on the first page.
   Use bright-colored pens.
6. Choose costume pieces.
   These should be bold and simple, especially if people have more than one part to play. A hat. A bright scarf. An apron. A sword. A cane. A pair of gloves. A nose. Write down the name of the character on a piece of paper which you can pin to the piece. Remember, actors need to have at least one hand free if they're going to hold a script.
7. Clear the playing area.
   You can choose to do the play in the round in the living room, on a deck, on a balcony, in a doorway...
8. Introduce the piece as you give out the scripts.
   Remind your actors (especially the younger ones) to listen carefully to what others are saying so they don't miss their part and to be a polite audience, not goofing off while someone else is talking. It's fun to celebrate a special occasion with theatre, so long as you remember to be respectful of sincere efforts.... and etc. That sort of thing.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't write actor names on the script - you might use them again next year with a different actor!
• Don't make your script too short. Then the panto is over so fast it's hardly worth all the effort.
• Make sure the lighting is good enough so all your actors can easily read.
• I recommend the writer is also narrator: he/she knows the script best and can steer through any rough spots.
• Don't have too much fun!?

Who Can Help:

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