Performance of Children's Literature Fall 2024

CASD 1717 – Fall 2024

The Pantomime Tradition and Peter Pan

As you heard above, Barrie was a very successful playwright. In Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie created something new, mixing high-art theatre with the low tradition of Pantomime performance. Panto performances continue to this day.

Watch this brief clip from the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, England, to learn a bit about how this type of performance works today,

It’s Not a Panto – Peter Pan Goes Wrong

You don’t need to watch all of this, but watch some to get a sense of this recent Peter Pan that plays with the Panto tradition in a new way. This is a shortened version of their production filmed for the BBC. A version of the play came to Broadway last summer. You can also see a

What can you take away to help with your performative skills from the Panto tradition? Would you want to go to a Panto? Do you have questions about it?

Go back to Contexts
Go to Peter Pan Everywhere

Comments

19 responses to “Panto and Peter Pan”

  1. Brittany Giler Avatar
    Brittany Giler

    Pantomime tradition offers a comprehensive training ground for performers, using their physicality, vocal expression, audience engagement, character development, musical and dance skills, and teamwork. I would like to go to a Panto, it looks interesting. The question I have is, while Panto is deeply rooted in British culture, are there similar theatrical traditions in other cultures that share its emphasis on audience participation, physical comedy, and musical numbers?

    Reply
  2. Alexa Mendez Avatar
    Alexa Mendez

    Panto traditions have more performative skills and have their own experiences than what we see in a regular performance now. A major difference is the audience becoming more involved, nowadays when we see a play we are mostly required to quietly watch it without making disruptions for the actors however the whole point of panto plays are to include the audience more and make them feel more involved and entertained.

    Reply
  3. Anthea longville Avatar
    Anthea longville

    From the Panto tradition you can take away to help with the performance skills music and dance engagement, audience interaction costume and set design and use of comedy and timing. Particularly when tackling a play like Peter Pan, which is frequently presented in a style influenced by Panto, the playwright’s instructions can elevate a performance.

    Reply
  4. Amy Khait Avatar
    Amy Khait

    I would like to go to a Panto. It seems interesting and unusual. I think some takeaways from this can be more audience interaction, as well as comedic use. Audience interaction is something a bit different than we are used to, since usually the audience is quiet during a production. However, engagement with the audience can make the production more entertaining and fun.

    Reply
  5. Ariana Loyfman Avatar
    Ariana Loyfman

    I found this information to be very interesting because after partaking in theater classes throughout middle and high school I was always taught that pantomime is expressive to show your actions and emotions throughout using imagination and symbolic/representative movements and facial expressions.

    Reply
  6. Victoria Lucenti Avatar
    Victoria Lucenti

    Within the Panto tradition, some performative skills that are gained from this take away perspective is live performance skills, audience interactions, traditional clothing, and etc. I do not have any further questions, but I would be interested in going to a Panto. I would enjoy seeing this theatric tradition in live performance, especially because I have a high appreciation of viewing cultural and traditional clothing, as well as the joys of comedic entertainment in theaters.

    Reply
  7. Anifat Abumislimova Avatar
    Anifat Abumislimova

    What I can take away to help me with my performative skills from the Panto tradition is to engage with the audience so that they can be interested and involved in my performance and also have a good time. As also stated in the video “What Is a Pantomime” by Iain Lauchlan, it is important to use bad and good in panto, what we can see bad and good characters in every fairy tale. I have never seen it, but I would be interested in going to a Panto.

    Reply
  8. Selina Chen Avatar
    Selina Chen

    From the Panto tradition, I would take away the importance of audience interaction, and exaggerated expression skills that can make a performance more engaging and lively for the audience. I don’t have anu questions but I think I would want to go to Panto as it was seem pretty interesting.

    Reply
  9. Mahnoor Avatar
    Mahnoor

    From the videos above, I can take away that Panto is a very dramatic and exaggerated comedy, which helps to keep the audience engaged and focused. It connects the characters with the people watching and overall creates a very interesting dynamic for everyone involved. I would love to attend a panto because of its unique and interesting elements.

    Reply
  10. Kateryna Senkovych Avatar
    Kateryna Senkovych

    One performative skill I would take away from Panto is to always try to be engaging to the audience. Panto seems like a very funny and interesting show to go to and I would love to go to one someday.

    Reply
    1. Michelle Cortes Rodriguez Avatar
      Michelle Cortes Rodriguez

      Yes I agree with engaging to the audience.

      Reply
  11. VANESSA Avatar
    VANESSA

    What I can take away from the Panto tradition is having a lot of energy and being entertaining. I think it’s extremely important to have audience interaction! This is what draws people to the story. To always try your best to show your emotions. Your emotions play a tremendous role in any play.

    Reply
  12. Tory Sen Avatar
    Tory Sen

    Panto traditions focus on getting the audience involved, so they give more performative skills and experiences than modern shows. They have dance, music, costumes, set design, humor, and timing. Playwrights can improve performances by using pantomime techniques. This is especially true in Peter Pan, where the playwright’s directions can improve the performance.

    Reply
  13. Kaylee Pontone Avatar
    Kaylee Pontone

    Panto is about audience participation and I’ve been to a play that used the audience and changed some lines with their interaction which was very cool and fun! It makes you feel like you’re a part of the story.

    Reply
  14. Amna Syeda Avatar
    Amna Syeda

    Panto teaches exaggerated expression, audience interaction, and improvisation to keep performances fun and engaging. I’d love to see a Panto because it sounds lively, interactive, and humorous. It would be exciting to experience the audience participation and see how the performers bring the story to life with energy and fun.

    Reply
  15. Jaylyn Calles Avatar
    Jaylyn Calles

    What can you take away to help with your performative skills from the Panto tradition? Would you want to go to a Panto? Do you have questions about it?

    I can take away the participation of the audience they make sure the audience is engaged and understand the story. I would want to go to a panto i like watching musicals and going to their shows.

    Reply
  16. Naurah Romulus Avatar
    Naurah Romulus

    Panto focuses on audience interaction, using exaggerated expressions and adding comedy to make performances more engaging. High energy seems like the way to truly keep the audience entertained. I’ve gone to shows that were kind of like this, and I always have a great time because it feels like I’m part of the show.

    Reply
  17. Denise Warren Avatar
    Denise Warren

    Pantomime skills that can be beneficial to a performer: Be open to new experiences , like reversal gender roles. Have fun while performing Allow your uniqueness in your performance, and understanding non-verbal gestures. I am not sure if I would be open to going to a pantomime show. No questions.

    Reply
  18. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    The Panto tradition can help with acting by teaching how to interact with the audience, use big expressions, and be funny. It also helps actors feel more confident and have fun on stage. I would like to see a Panto because it seems exciting and full of energy.

    One question I have is: How do actors mix planned scenes with making things up on the spot?

    Reply

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