American Couple Reacts: What is a Pantomime?! Learning The History & Culture! FIRST TIME REACTION!!

American Couple Reacts: What is a Pantomime?! Learning The History & Culture! FIRST TIME REACTION!!
What did we get ourselves into? This was VERY informative on a subject we didn't even know existed a year ago! We learned so much about Pantomimes from the History, Traditions and the Culture. Now we just need to book our flight and come see one in person next year!
This was a lot of fun and we are happy that we now have some actual knowledge on the Pantos!
We hope you enjoyed this! Let us know if you are Panto fans or Panto haters. We had several questions at the end of this video so please stick around until the end to help answer them for us. Click the Like button if you enjoyed this episode. Also if you did bother to read this far today's code word is: Wet Noodle. Thanks for watching! More links below for you.
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[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

What did we get ourselves into? This was VERY informative on a subject we didn't even know existed a year ago! We learned so much about Pantomimes from the History, Traditions and the Culture. Now we just need to book our flight and come see one in person next year! This was a lot of fun and we are happy that we now have some actual knowledge on the Pantos! We hope you enjoyed this! Let us know if you are Panto fans or Panto haters. We had several questions at the end of this video so please stick around until the end to help answer them for us. Click the Like button if you enjoyed this episode.

[@countofdownable]

Unfortunately we rarely get a Principal Boy anymore. This was an attractive lady playing the male romantic lead. Usually showing a lot of leg.

[@kiwihib]

You need to watch Pissed staring Charlie Drake and Jim Davidson warning it's crude.

[@ruthfoley2580]

I had years of working in a theatre as a front of house assistant. I now LOATHE pantomime. It's horrible. The show is good fun & the casts were almost all great, the problem came with some of the parents & the sheer amount of work cleaning up between shows. Honestly, it's pretty disheartening when you have to step in to defend a colleague from a mum who is screaming at them because their child wasn't picked to go on stage. I lost count of the times I had to console a 1st time panto worker who was reduced to tears by someone telling them they'd ruined Christmas. You get used to it after a while. My response was to smile politely & stay quiet when they tried it on me. Just let them blow off that steam. As for production values? I can only speak about the ones I saw as a child & the shows I worked during. The ones I saw when I was young tended to be local theatres on a limited budget. They would pull out everything they could & it would still be magical. The theatre I worked in held just under 1000 people so it attracted huge productions with massive budgets. A notable highlight was when the evil villain (Abanazer) in Aladdin had a dragon called Stinky who he would fly out on over the audience. Stinky had a compartment with water in it that would be opened above their heads. He would then say "What are you all screaming about? It's only water. Well, it WAS when he drank it." As for celebrities/famous actors? Well, it's a tough call sometimes. Usually it's people on a downward trajectory career wise. A running joke is that someone hasn't been seen on stage or screen for a while is that they're probably "doing panto" somewhere. There are exceptions to that rule. One year we had David Hasselhoff as Hook in Peter Pan. Obviously costs will vary depending on venue & where you're seated. Could be from around £10 to upwards of £75 each. Possibly more in London. The after show shows were definitely a thing. And usually quite a lewd & sweary affair. Crew & staff would perform for the cast. One year we had an ex soap actor playing the evil Queen. She was an awful person who made our lives hell. The opening line of her character in our version was "Hello boys & girls. They wanted (name of actor still on screen who she had a rivalry with) but she's still famous." The actor threatened to sue. 🤣 In our place we had a dry bar so that the kids had an area to go where there was no alcohol served as our venue did not allow children into the other bars. We sold sweets & soft drinks. We didn't make much money really. So I used to "organise" games & sing a longs for the youngsters. We had many mishaps over the years. A notable one was when we lost a grandmother who had dementia. She walked out with another family & we had to search the entire venue & get the police involved. She was found 2 hours later in a shoe shop. Generally panto is great fun for the audience. VERY LOUD, very bawdy & always quite spirited. If you're going to see one, I'd say go to a large theatre & prepare to be amazed.

[@ExpendableRedshirt]

Panto is more about the atmosphere and audience participation than anything else. You really have to be there to get the full effect. Watching online distances you from what it's really all about; the shared experience. It's bawdy, broad humour, yes lots of double entendres for the adults and lots of slapstick for the kids. A fun, noisy time for a family.

[@OnASeasideMission]

I did not know that 😳

[@kevingray3550]

For many years it was the ambition of our most distinguished Shakespearian actor Sir Ian McKellen to play in a pantomime. He first played Widow Twankey in Aladin a few years ago and has played in other pantomimes since. He considers the pantomime to be a very important part of the British theatrical tradition.

[@OnASeasideMission]

My fam and I went to see Sir Ian's one man show just before the Covid fiasco. Loved his comments on Panto: "Always leave your bra on the radiator overnight" and his tearful reference to his late husband, Donald J Twanky". Also managed a brief chat as he was at the exit holding a bucket to collect for the charities he was supporting. 😆😆😆

[@Brytonrock]

This year, 2022, Sir Ian McKellen is playing the Dame in Mother Goose at The Theatre Royal, here in Brighton, my home city.

[@Claudiaxyz]

Wonder if the tradition of guys playing some of the female parts came from Shakespeare's time when women were not allowed to go on the stage... and speculating, could it be that the ambience of Shakespeares plays then were close to Pantos....

[@lyn7621]

Just so you know I’ve been to many Pantomimes and never seen anyone dressed up as your typical clown,I think she was probably saying they acted in a clownish manner,so you can go without fear.Most families who have young children try to take the family to a Pantomime during the Christmas holidays as their introduction to theatre.They are all different and most cities have professional pantomimes but smaller towns often put on amateur productions so prices vary considerably but are usually similar to theatre productions.

[@gryphonberlin]

@@lyn7621 If you think it is hard to explain Panto ..try telling Americans the Panto version of Aladin ... not in the desert, a wash salon ... And what is a Widow Twanky ( not a character in the Disney canon ) .

[@boggleboggle100]

Pantos are MASSIVE productions over here!! We've just seen Peter Pan with Christopher Biggins and the cast were amazing!!! It wouldn't be Christmas without Panto!!! Merry Christmas ladies!!! Try and find a Panto online to watch!!

[@coot1925]

The great thing about panto is that the double entendres. Risky jokes that adults understand but kids don't. I've been to a few pantos and played drums in a couple and it's hilarious fun. Both adults and kids have an amazing time and it is a great way to get people together.

[@brian9731]

We have a family tradition of going to panto at the London Palladium. This one is not really aimed at kids, so forget double entendre, just pure smut from Julian Clary and an all-star cast.

[@coot1925]

@@brian9731 oh yes. Julian clary is hilarious and found his niche in adult panto. Have a great time mate. ✌

[@Whippy99]

I went to one starring Julian Clary. You can imagine how naught it was! It goes right over the heads of the children so it’s a perfect family event!

[@MeStevely]

"I've never seen seven pulled off at once" being a perfect example of a double entendre - the kids don't understand, the adults certainty do!

[@Whippy99]

@@MeStevely 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Whippy99]

The reason drag is so popular and mainstream in the UK is mostly due to pantomime! No one bats an eyelid at the gender role swaps. I have played principle boy several times alongside my 6’ 2” bearded dad as the panto dame! It’s great fun and is a huge part of Christmas celebrations. Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧 ❤

[@nbartlett6538]

To be fair, drag is a feature of the theatrical tradition in many countries. In Japanese kabuki, ALL of the characters, male and female, are played by men.

[@thatsthat2612]

Our drag is very different from the USA, I was shocked at how different, even the adults shows, they're very much based in comedy where are the USAs is dancing, looking ultra feminine, and lip syncing, not exclusively of course.

[@catherinerobilliard7662]

Problem now is men in drag are expecting to be taken seriously as women. After centuries of panto, and respect for strong women, it's never going to happen in England.

[@brianwhittington5086]

that's that The tradition of men playing the female roles is supposed to date back to medieval times, when minstrels performed plays for the king and aristocracy. Apparently women were forbidden by law to act, so men had to dress and act out the female roles.

[@catherinerobilliard7662]

@@brianwhittington5086 true. Travelling players, known for not adhering to more socially acceptable behaviour, were held low, and any woman in such a troupe would be likened to prostitutes spreading the pox to men as they go. Europe was not so puritanical but England had a virgin Queen, who had to be holier than thou, and not seen attending a play where harlots performed.

[@robertmcqueen289]

Ladies. The pantomime is the first theatre performance that most UK children ever go too. And in some homes is considered ' family event no 1'. There's a few things that this good lady didn't mention. # In Victorian England, the pantomime would have real animals. Normally from a travelling circus, hired for the event. # The show lasts roughly 1 and half to 2 hours during a normal performance. But, they do extra shows during the season for persons whom have difficulties, so that they can also enjoy the show. This show is normally in the early afternoon. To answer one question. Yes there are famous actors who take part. One of the American ones is the wonderful Henry Winkler, aka The Fonz from Happy Days. They normally come across the herring pond to play a bad character. Normally, Captain Hook in Peter Pan. They were interviewed some years ago, and they wished that America, per say, had this tradition. He loves teasing the audience, and always looked forward to coming across. Great video ladies. Keep up the good work.

[@jameshumphreys9715]

Oh no it isn't

[@stephenbesley3177]

@@jameshumphreys9715 Oh yes it is!

[@chrisparti]

@@jameshumphreys9715 beat me to it....😂😂

[@SaintPhoenixx]

If you live in a city or large town in the UK, your local pantomime will sell it by advertising the celebrity playing the lead role. Mostly out of work actors, entertainers, singers trying something new or comedy actors. I think most of the smaller, village sized shows will use a local group of actors or a very very minor celebrity, but most of the advertising if based on who the star of the show is.

[@roberthaylock3405]

Tickets vary from town to town and It depends what ‘Caleb’ they have. All pantomimes are basically Disney films. They happen every year. In every town… all over the UK. They give me a lot of fond memories as a child. But I don’t think twice about them now :/

[@lynnehackles5862]

We took an American friend to a panto. He was silent through the first half, then got the idea and shouted himself hoarse during the second half. He said if panto went to the States the front two rows of the British audience would need to go too, to show you how it works.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

Pantomime hoarse? :-)

[@Forestfalcon1]

David Hasselhoff played Captain Hook in a Peter Pan pantomime in the UK.. It's said he was a little shocked the audience began booing him when he first appeared on stage.. Apparently he did not know it was tradition for the audience to boo the bad guy whenever he appeared on stage.. He said he really enjoyed his time in pantomime..

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Hasselhoff 🤣😂 us Americans can only laugh whenever he is mentioned

[@lordcharfield]

@@TheNatashaDebbieShow…….well. It is a comedy 😅

[@ruthfoley2580]

I know. It was a run in the theatre I worked in. He soon got used to it.

[@mpmlopes]

It usually compensates though, as the villain is usually also the most applauded at the end.

[@thatsthat2612]

@@TheNatashaDebbieShow I really miss knight rider though, it was so cheesy but so good 🤣

[@Paul-hl8yg]

Well that was a great reaction to the old art of pantomime... "Oh no it wasn't"..."Oh yes it was"..."Oh no it wasn't"..."Oh yes it was"!! 😆 🇬🇧❤🇺🇸

[@Choppy698]

Hiya Paul, in my book its very frustrating

[@margaretflounders8510]

@@Choppy698 It will all be behind you!

[@T13GUY]

​@@margaretflounders8510Oh no it isn't!

[@stewedfishproductions7959]

The first stage production (in London) of the Rocky Horror Show was directed by Jim Sharman (from Australia). His family had toured parts of Australia performing pantomime and putting on similar variety shows... He also went on to direct the film version too. So the show was based on traditional panto and audience participation.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Ha!! Love it when we get something put together like that and it's correct! Thanks ❤️

[@sueh3649]

Hi loved your reaction to Pantomime. I have never sen a clown I the Pantos I have been to Great vlog again

[@lesleyriseam1282]

I used to go to it Rocky Horror show and then back to the after party somewhere else . I was friendly with Musicians who laid down backing tracks . Happy days .

[@glenmartin7978]

@@sueh3649 There is always a funny Boy not necessarily a Clown

[@MsKaz1000]

@@glenmartin7978 Buttons in Cinderella never seen him dressed as a clown

[@MrDunkycraig]

Panto is a British treasure. When we took our sons they loved it so much back in the day. It has adult jokes that go over kids heads as well as kid friendly ones and these days most city Pantos have a celebrity in it.

[@catherinehaywood7092]

We have Beauty & The Beast at the local theatre where I live this year. Tickets start around £14 and can go up to around £40. They do 2 performances a day with the matinee at 1pm and the evening show at 7pm Usually the main rolls are done by well known actors or celebrities. I’ve been going to pantomimes since I was a little girl. I was always taken by my grandmother as a Christmas treat. I’m now that grandmother treating my grandchildren. It’s such fun. Usually in Malvern where I live now the stars from the Panto turn on the Christmas lights in the town every year and parade through the town. It’s a lovely tradition and so much fun. Sometimes schools will take the children along to the panto as well for their Christmas trip. You never get to old for a panto. ❤❤❤❤❤ I’ve never seen a clown in any Panto I’ve been to although there’s a lot of “clowning around “

[@9651Eddy]

Hi, Yes, They are the full story of the fairytale like, Cinderella, Snow White & the 7 dwarfs Aladin Etc Ed xx

[@martinlarkin8066]

We did a panto here in New Zealand one year. There was a scene called "beer roulette". 6 cans of beer on a tray. One had been shaken up. The hero had to choose one, hold it against his head and pull the tab. The shaken one was marked. The villain would then take the shaken one, and loose. One year we shook all the cans and sat them on a heater for half an hour on the last night. The hero had no chance to avoid the mess. The other 5 cans fell on the floor and burst! A brilliant ending to a great run.

[@cesirwin1973]

i now live in NZ...you got the concept

[@Lixmage]

Pantomime is AWESOME. One thing she didn't really cover is that pantomime is primarily for children and they love the audience participation, the slapstick and most of the jokes. However, pantomimes also contain a serious amount of adult humour so it is generally really funny for the parents also. It is a FULL on theatre experience hosted in the large theatres. It is everywhere and it always has Z list celebrities in it. Tickets are not cheap but TOTALLY worth it!

[@cesirwin1973]

pantomine and punch and judy...things i grew up with...made me open from childhood to the comedy of life

[@vaudevillian7]

I think Rocky Horror owes a lot to panto - especially the original stage show where the participation stuff began. There’s a good article called “Violent clowns and panto dames: the origins of Rocky Horror's Frank-N-furter”

[@lyndasurgenorball5595]

Yes 😁 it's so much fun

[@stevemorganexperience7833]

@@blackbob3358 Richard Curtis ? You mean Richard obrien

[@stevemorganexperience7833]

I did Jack and the beanstalk so I’m biased, but the two most famous ones are Aladdin and Cinderella as the characters stay the same

[@helenchelmicka]

​@@stevemorganexperience7833😅😅

[@Bellabob]

Pantomime is an absolute staple of Christmas time, here in the UK! They tend to be a child’s first experience of the theatre and have somewhat well known people starring in them, to draw in the audiences. They are very much reliant on audience participation and involve a lot of innuendo, which tends to go over children’s heads, but the adults of course understand! I recommend watching any performance at The London Palladium if you can.

[@Stand663]

Fun fact: The late Queen Elizabeth took part in pantomime shows at Windsor castle during the war, when she was a young princess, alongside princess Margaret. They both performed in the play Dick Whittington and Elizabeth played the lead male role. Their pantomime costumes were recently displayed for the public at a recent exhibition at Buckingham palace.

[@susansmiles2242]

I thought it was Aladdin

[@danielgardecki1046]

*Dame Helen Mirren* went to watch *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs* at *The Alhambra* in *Bradford* a few years ago, while she was filming *The Duke* (2020) which is mainly filmed in *Bradford* aka the world's first *UNESCO City of Film.* *Dame Helen Mirren* loved the pantomime which starred *Faye Tozer* (from Steps), pantomime legend *Billy Pearce,* and comedy legend *Paul Chuckle* (from the Chuckle Brothers). *Dame Helen Mirren* surprised the cast backstage, and went out drinking with them at *The Midland Hotel* in *Bradford.* She also went for a curry at the famous *Mumtaz Restaurant* (massively overrated), and loved *Bradford* in general during her weeks filming *The Duke* (2020) here with the multi-award winning *Jim Broadbent.*

[@SimplethingsOfficial]

I’ve been in a pantomime every year since 2009 when I was 10 years old. This year I am the lead. It is a full circle moment. There’s nothing better than walking out the stage door at the end of the show to meet all the kids

[@GiddeeAunt]

Henry Winkler used to come to England every year to appear in a pantomime. He loves them!

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Really??

[@pureholy]

Also George Takei

[@lawrenceglaister4364]

@@TheNatashaDebbieShow , see if you can get in touch with him ( pod cast , KZbin etc ) and ask him about it As regards to the adult jokes it's very very funny to see some adults and the not so young children have their mouths open in disbelief that the joke was said lol , but don't worry as the young children don't understand them . There are some pantomime on KZbin but at least you have a good idea about them so hopefully will not be stopping the video every 10 seconds

[@roysimpson9711]

My son is in pantomime this year in PETER PAN at the Cresset Theatre in Peterborough playing the Dame Mrs Smee. The star of the show is Kevin Kennedy of Coronation Street fame playing Captain Hook . iT RUNS FROM THE 15TH TO 31ST DECEMBER . Panto as we call it is a traditional comedy for the whole family . Audience participation is always a great laugh and kids and adults love it unless youre a Grinch

[@vaudevillian7]

When they say clown they don’t mean in the traditional face paint and everything but the broader sense of clowning - so you’re okay 😄

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Phew!!

[@lordcharfield]

I can confirm that’s totally true. You’re totally safe!

[@christinedugmore]

@@TheNatashaDebbieShow it’s a tad more like a jester than a clown

[@vaudevillian7]

They are a clown in performing / theatre sense, but outside of that there’s a very specific idea of what a clown is. Most people that go to clown school, yes that’s a thing, or perform clowning never wear the make up

[@AmethystRock]

The last show of the panto season is often a great one to see because the cast do play pranks, add in jokes on the fly and generally mess about so it's even more hilarious. There are particular celebs who are well known to take part in Panto every year. The other thing not mentioned was how well panto caters for all the family- kids love the slapstick humour and there are lots of crude jokes within the performance that amuse parents but would go right over the heads of the children. I take my son to panto every year - his favourite part is the song where the cast end up in a line with various props and the song gets faster and the Dame usually ends up with a frying pan to the face or something similar 🤣

[@BigStib]

I think the "it's not often you see seven being pulled off" in the ghost clip shown might have been a good example. 😉 Not sure if N&D spotted it.

[@catherinerobilliard7662]

The last night is always the first to be sold out.

[@francisfirth1156]

I love you two, Natasha and Debbie, here in the UK pantomime is a great British tradition that we love.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Well we love you as well!!

[@helenchelmicka]

Oh no it isn't! 😅😅

[@fenceup07944931177]

Panto is a big production, because of how important it is the the theatre. In terms of revenue, panto season for some theatres is what keeps them open. It's a great laugh, the adult humour goes straight over the kids heads. And the kids love been able to join in with the show.

[@juliajoyce4535]

Most UK theatres have a Panto, there are usually well known Celebrities playing the parts, the price at my local starts at £20 to £40

[@TheNgandrew]

Firstly, I will say I have never seen a panto without thoroughly enjoying it. There's all the elements she mentioned, the kids' humour, the adult humour which goes straight over kids' heads (on that clip the dame mentioned 'seven being pulled off at once'), and just the general madness. Theatres (and smaller venues, such as scout and church halls) across Britain host pantomimes. I reckon they subsidise theatres' more artistic output for the rest of the year. Pantomimes are very popular, and sell theatres out more than once a day. A lot of established celebrities take part in pantomimes, including pop stars, TV personalities and renowned actors (playing on their celebrity rather than their acting prowess). A pantomime can't truly be appreciated without attending in person, because of atmosphere, but that woman from the Hong Kong Players made a good video.

[@hikariyouk]

One of the things she didn’t cover is that in the UK professional panto productions generally have a celebrity cast member. They’re often B list celebs, but A-List celebs are increasingly doing it; Sir Ian McKellen loves playing pantomime dames. You do get pantos literally everywhere in the UK, from small local amateur productions to large professional productions. The really big productions with A-List celebrities tend to be in the west end. You get some touring from productions too.

[@clarelawton4653]

We’re seeing sir Ian in mother goose next year

[@susanyork5089]

How about Gary Oldman playing Puss Dick Whittington’s cat in York, that was 1979

[@lindathomas5500]

She literally said that at the very beginning, admittedly it was difficult to hear as the two ladies spoke over it slightly.

[@mskatonic7240]

The sheer number of pantos in the UK affects the price too - one at a London theatre with a celebrity cast will cost you. One at a local theatre with a cast of unknowns or amateurs will be a lot cheaper.

[@hazzingtonesquire3188]

Even more magical knowing it snowed in London last night. Really getting into those Xmas vibes 😍🥰 Thanks for doing this Ladies

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Thank you for watching!

[@eponatwospirithorse4980]

I walked back to my flat with the snow crunching under my feet and that cotton wool sound that always I associate with settled snow on the ground, I really felt the Christmas vibe yay.

[@hazzingtonesquire3188]

@@TheNatashaDebbieShow always welcome ladies ✌️ Always seem to put a smile on my face 😘❤️

[@LittleNoiseBoy]

Thanks for joining in our silly antics: love to have the company of our dear American friends (and yes, through the good offices of our friends in HK, you taught me the etymology of the word pantomime)! I had the great good fortune to be part of the stage crew for a panto many years ago - one of the most enjoyable experiences of my sound engineering career! Aside from the laughter of children and adults alike in the audience, the most enjoyable bit for me was "the cod" (after show show, as the lady describes) - a special mock version of the panto put on by the crew to poke gentle fun at the cast. One works on a panto throughout Christmas and close bonds are formed on stage. Some gentle ribbing is all part of that :-)

[@MartinMilnerUK]

The prefix panto means everything/everyone

[@pureholy]

A few years ago I got to see Aladdin at the Old Vic with Sir Ian McKellen as Widow Twanky (Aladdin’s mum) it was brilliant. There were 2 Americans tourists sitting just behind us, they actually gasped when Abbanaza - bad guy- came on, played by Roger Allan, and everyone booed. Traditional, but not much these days, heros etc. enter stage right and villains stage left. There are over 200 professional pantos in any given season (Covid permitting) and almost every amateur theatre company will also stage one.

[@paulsmith2516]

Panto is usually the first thing that us UK kids ever see in a theatre. They even have special matinee performances put on purely for local Primary schools and whole classes go and get an afternoon off school. All the pantos I ever went to always have a part of the show where the performers will throw loads of sweeties out to the crowd, which usually causes slight carnage lol.

[@TrevorBurgess63]

I'm from the UK. Attended many pantomimes as a youngster. My first was watching Cinderella starring Ronnie Corbett (The Two Ronnies) as Buttons and Clodagh Rodgers as Cinderella 1971/72 ish I never knew what the history of Pantomime was. Thanks guys for posting this video. X

[@alanaw27]

I was at a Pantomime yesterday. . It was a Christmas present to me from my daughter’s family. We had a lovely time and got involve shouting out and all the other traditional stuff. It was quite a socially inclusive pantomime more geared to younger children which It was fun for all. Lots of happy families left the theatre. There was an American man, from Arkansas there and he got a shoutout from the Dame and a big cheer from the audience.

[@janetdear6429]

Hi ladies, there are lots of TV star's that do pantomime season every year, and they are all round the country. It's been years since I went to a pantomime, they can go on for a couple of hours and yes there in a Break halfway through. And great video thanks Natasha and Debbie 💖😁

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Thanks so much for watching ❤️

[@laurielovett8849]

Even as a small child my favourite character was always the Dame. Some unforgettable ones here in Dublin. Always played by a top male comedian, the uglier and grotesque the better I'm a traditionilist, so prefer the principle boy to be played by a girl. Used be brought to an amateur panto played by the inmates of a home for down and out men and orphan boys ( the Morning Star Hostel )to thank people who supported them. The chorus girls dancing was hilarious boys about 10 or 12 years of age in horrible little dresses,wearing their own big leather boots and knee socks.mostly ginger old fashioned wigs stuck on top of their heads, and you were supposed to imagine they were girl's. .one year the Baron was played by a man with a beautiful voice. I'm guessing he was a professionally trained singer. One wonders how such a person ended up in what was virtually a modern day poor house. Many thanks to them all for a good laugh. Panto there no longer performed, home probably closed

[@Kaislee]

It varies by locality, but most AmDram groups will put on a Panto over the Christmas season. Its usually a child's first introduction to the theatre. Its also where most UK Actors catch the acting bug, starting in local productions of Pantos, Plays & Musicals, thenn moving into more structured and professional Stage or Dance Schools, the audition for Stage Companies or TV roles. Its unlikely that the vast majority of UK Actors haven't been involved in at least 1 Panto in their lives. In Panto Productions in the major cities like London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester etc, its common for celebrities to be cast in all the key roles. The Panto is also seen as a Family Day Out.

[@andrewpantling7112]

The cast do an amazing job. Often working 3 performances a day (peak times) from Nov- January. 3 hours duration something like 200 -300 shows

[@jenniebeann]

I was in many pantomimes when I was little. My church would stage one every other year. I absolutely loved being in it. My clearest memory is of a very prominent oncology professor being the dame for every single pantomime we did. For at least one performance he would invite his junior and student doctors to come and watch. I was used to seeing him like this every other year but I bet it was a shock for those seeing him perform for the first time. He was honoured by the Queen a few years ago with an OBE, he's an amazing man.

[@thomasmumw8435]

A few years ago our town put on a Cinderella Panto and they brought on a pony to draw her carriage! I remember as a kid going up on stage taking and taking part in games and winning a prize. It's not expensive, especially as it's normally put on by the local amateur dramatic society but in the cities I would say its abit more expensive as they get "celebrities" taking part. It's a brilliant thing to go to especially after Xmas in January!

[@susanpearson-creativefibro]

I was in my first Panto when I was seven, then annually for about the next forty years! Professional ones tend to now use men for the principle boy whereas amateur usually stick to the traditional girl. They are often performed in community theatres and Church Halls. We had about an 80% crossover between the Church Choir and the Stage Group, so it was an establish statement that our three big seasons were Christmas, Easter and the Panto (usually done in February at ours)

[@claredyson9936]

Pantos are great you will love them! The rocky horror picture show is similar to a pantomime but for adults, pantos are for everyone. Schools usually take kids to see pantos at Christmas time. We used to get a selection box (chocolate) every year when we went. It's normally about 90 minutes long and it depends if you go to a big theatre in the city or a smaller one in a town or village for how good it will be. I have severe narcolepsy and cataplexy. Last time I went to see a panto I laughed so much I had a few cataplexy attacks and fell asleep. My friend had to wake me up to stop me falling out of my chair!!!

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Oh no!!!

[@kthk2010]

Hi I'm from Hong Kong and I an the assistant stage manager with the Hong Kong Players and we have just finished our 2022 panto!

[@waynefenton3]

The Rocky Horror show was written by Richard O'Brien because he couldn't get work in Panto at the time. It is an adult Panto in it's purest form. During my theatrical career I worked on 20yrs of Panto. Everything from Aladdin to Sinbad the Sailor. Pantomimes season used to run from late November to late March early April. Now it usually runs for a month mid December to mid January. A lot of Pantos take place around the country, each one will have a local TV celebrity or Star taking a prominent role. For example Sir Ian Mckellen (Gandalf, Magneto etc) Is playing as a dame in a touring Panto production. The crew performing a spoof version is called a Cod Panto. If you want anymore info please ask happy to help. X Much love and Merry Christmas. X

[@pinkpixiepopp]

Hiya, loved this video, I live in England and have grown up with pantomimes happening in our city every year, they are performed in our beautiful Empire in Sunderland, we have celebrities perform every year in them, but you have taught me something new, I now know why they are called pantomimes! Hahaha! Im 49 and didnt know that fact! When my boys were younger it used to be part of our Christmas tradition to go and see the pantomime, when its finished you can go to outside to the back of the building to the 'stage door' and some of the celebrities or stars of the show come out for a small amount of time to meet you and to autograph your pantomime programme, we have never done that as its always too busy, I used to clean for an elderly lady whos house was enormous and she used to rent out one of her guest bedrooms to the Empire for the month to either cast or crew to do with the pantomime, also the show itself I think usually lasts between 1 to 2 hours, hope you are both well, lots of love xx

[@matthill3293]

I did start thinking "Of course most people haven't been in one..." but I realised I was only really thinking about bigger ones in established theatres. I guess if you take into account am-dram, local village plays, school/college productions, most of us probably HAVE been in one!

[@helenchelmicka]

Omg just realised I was in Aladdin at school! haha

[@alisonrodger3360]

In Scotland the Grande Dame of Panto was Stanley Baxter. His shows were legendary extravaganzas, I was lucky enough to see one when I was a kid.

[@user-km2bk8zb4m]

Stanley Baxter was a legend.

[@alisonrodger3360]

@@user-km2bk8zb4m Yup, he's still alive though :-D

[@babybear9443]

I'm Scottish and I love panto! I've been to our local performance every year since I was about 4 (I'm 35 now!), with only a couple of exceptions (I missed one year when I was in hospital, and another because we got into a car accident on the way to the panto and only course the last 2 haven't been on.) It used to be for the kids of the family, but as we got older, the boys stopped coming and it became a girl's night out, now it's back to being for the kids of the family! I've seen each one our local company does quite a lot (they seem to rotate maybe 7 or 8?) I love it. It's good old fashion fun. I highly recommend it to everyone.

[@janescott4574]

I admit it! Didn’t have a clue about mime in pantoMIME! In the 50’s my parents took me to a pantomime every year they usually got a dozen or so ,children from the audience upon the stage to sing a song. I only got picked once!! quite often this was a song with the chorus of (bare with me here) Gilly,gilly,osonpfeffer,catsanogan,bogan,bythesea!! By the way, Natasha, don’t panic, there aren’t people dressed as clowns in panto.

[@pedanticlady9126]

In a tiny house By a tiny Stream ... 😁

[@helenagreenwood2305]

@@pedanticlady9126 Where a lovely lass Had a lovely dream 😀

[@AlBarzUK]

@@helenagreenwood2305 and the dream came true… so unexpectedly in…

[@pedanticlady9126]

@@AlBarzUK Gilly gilly osanfeffa catsanella bogan - by - the - sea eeeee 😁👋

[@paulnorman6821]

@@pedanticlady9126 I think you mean Ochsenpfeffer Katzenellenbogen! (Pedantic guy)

[@angelavara4097]

I didn't know about the mime part,we live and learn. I did take my kids to a panto and everyone loved it.

[@slayerrocks2]

Oh no you didn't!

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Oh yes we did!

[@stevemorris6855]

Haven't been to one for sixty years, but it would be worth a visit for you because it's a unique experience. Seeing the kids faces makes it worth the effort.

[@dianaphillips9114]

Used to go to the local Dance school panto every year when I was young as father of family friends was always the Dame. He always had a bit with the youngest of the students (about 4-5yr olds). He usually had a giant tutu and was adorable as the kids often didn’t know what they were doing and stumbled around or stood stick still with thumb in mouth. - his two daughters were dancers, both became teachers at the school and the older one ran her own dance school later.

[@emaloney2211]

When I first went to South Africa ( my uncle and aunt live there) we went to a pantomime ‘Robinsons a Crusoe’. My uncle said that we may not understand the references and it may not be like our traditional English pantos. It was exactly the same as ours, a few SA influences but still the same flavour. It was so enjoyable and my cousins, aunt and uncle were surprised to see us joining in and singing along with the Dame.

[@stevewilldo3056]

Enjoyed this reaction! Came in expecting you'd be watching a clip summarising the popular modern perception (including mine) i.e. "It's UK-based, traditional, knowingly-naff fun for kids at Christmas with random D-list celebs and lots of audience participation". Didn't expect to learn about its roots in commedia dell'arte, along with the way it's done in Hong Kong. Cool choice to react to, cheers for sharing!

[@catieburnside3751]

I don’t know if it was only our local pinto but the cart used to throw sweets out to the children in the audience. I never knew about the mine in pantomime, so I learnt something,

[@lorrainet6798]

I used to take my daughter to panto when she was small. The “it’s behind you!” Really scared her so after that if we went to panto, we would have to sit in the back row of the theatre so no one could.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

Smart!!

[@merlinx7014]

One of the main West End theatres, The London Palladium, has a panto this year, Jack and the Beanstalk, with seat prices from £22.50 to £160.00! My local theatre is putting on Beauty and the Beast, seats from £23-£33! There are lots of others to choose from around the country!!

[@janemcnaughten7275]

Hello & Kia Ora. Most pantomime dames in Britain are well known actors & actresses. We used to go every Christmas when we were children. Great memories. By the way Richard OBrien wrote The Rocky Horror picture Show in Hamilton New Zealand where my family & I live. There is a statue of Richard as floor show Riff Raff here in Hamilton. It was designed & made by Weta Workshop. I also have directed A Rocky Horror Experience & a couple of pantomimes here in New Zealand too. Take care. Jane in New Zealand 🇬🇧🇳🇿

[@jojo1234a]

Yesterday I took my daughter and step daughter to a pantomime, we do it every year on the run up to Christmas. So much fun for the kids and for the grown ups. The girls are both 10 so they understood a few of the more grown up jokes which made them feel very grown up, bless them, though most of the adult jokes went right over their heads. They threw beach balls into the audience to bounce around, sprayed us with water, and it was awesome. I have a soft spot for the pantomime Dame, awesome stuff! It wouldn’t be the run up to Christmas in the UK without a pantomime. My girls are hoping to be part of the local panto next year. Love your videos.

[@NotAllBooksSmellNice]

I have no idea why as a 25 year old Scottish man I've suddenly started enjoying watching two American women react to stuff.

[@cesirwin1973]

its called humanity

[@QuentinRichardson-supersnail]

I painted pantomime sets for years in Ireland and in Wales. I never acted. Lots of villages, towns etc produce their own pantos for Christmas. Some are small amateur affairs and some are huge theatrical productions with famous actors.

[@DewdewDC]

Pretty much every local theatre has a pantomime at Christmas, there are touring ones that perform in schools, both are cheap, but there are also bigger shows with well known stars appearing in them that cost the same as other main theatre productions. Many actors love to take part every year, some become famous for a particular role, especially the brilliant Panto Dames. It is a show that you can take all the generations of your family to, hoping that some of the innuendo goes over the children's heads. For many years, while my daughter was very young, my daughter, my mother and my grandmother and I went for a four generation girly night. My daughter, mother and I still try to go when we can get together.

[@christophermorris26]

Pantomime is generally the time of the year where most Theatre’s make most of their profits for the year! The biggest Pantomime producer is Crossroads Pantomime’s they are the ones who have the biggest productions in the biggest theatre’s. They currently have Jack and the Beanstalk at the Palladium in London also it become traditional that celebrities play in them, with Sir Ian McKellen currently in Mother Goose.

[@joelpayne1193]

My first pantomime was Robin Hood show and it was fun and funny to watch. You can see fun with actors who have connected with audience with stories. Thank you ladies for reminding me about my childhood.

[@cuthalin4976]

Many schools used to do a panto each year. I was in a few, really good fun, and the banter for weeks afterwards was priceless :)

[@davidtomlinson7946]

We've been going to Nottingham Playhouse pantomime on Christmas Eve, since our twin boys were little. We still do, even though they are 24! It's so popular that the tickets go on sale in November, for the FOLLOWING year. At the end of the show, everyone stands (including the cast) and sings Come All Ye Faithful before going home to get tucked up in bed before Santa arrives. Even in Covid Lockdown it was livestreamed and we watched it on the internet. It's magical, with the same gags "She was very pretty, with a butter face" "Butter face?" "Yes, everything is pretty, but her face!". During the "Behind you" sequence when the actor asks "What is?" sonebody almost always shouts out "your career!" OK. I admit it, it's usually me. Anyway, thanks for the reaction video and may we bid you "Nightie, Nightie!" (from the audience "Pyjama, Pyjama!")

[@nottmjas]

Haven't been to see a panto at the Playhouse in years. Does Kenneth Alan Taylor still have some input into it.

[@richardh8082]

You cant get much better than the British ITV Panto a series of televised pantomimes originally broadcast on ITV in 1998, 2000, and 2002, and have Rerun for over the last 20 years since they were filmed. All written by Simon Nye, they included an array of celebrities

[@Codex7777]

The Rocky Horror Show was written in England and first performed in London. So, yes, it's a British show. The guy that wrote it, 'Richard O'Brien', played Riff Raff in the film version. :)

[@patthewoodboy]

I will never forget a moment at a panto. My friends sister was in it so he , his brother , myself and another friend went along. During a early part the dame was doing an interaction with the audience. There is a place near where we live called "Ugly" and he said "do we have anyone from the Ugly womens institute" we all got up and shouted yes completely spontaineously , for a moment he was lost for words 🙂

[@bobbyowenburns]

Hello 👋 I’m the Dame in these videos 😊 my friend Kathy does a wonderful introduction to pantos here! Glad you enjoyed it! ❤

[@winter-is-coming]

As a kid in the 80s my best experience was when the cast would throw sweets into the audience, its great for young kids also they make adult jokes to keep the parents entertained which goes straight over the kids heads, its about an hour long and most towns have one or more usually with a C class celebrity, like a x soap star or an x boyband singer.

[@batkinssmart4273]

I had no idea they still do panto in Hong Kong! That was a fascinating video. There's a couple of things about the themes, though - it's not just the fairy tale ones like Cinderella, but there also "modern literature" ones like Peter Pan, folk tales like Robin Hood, and even one loosely biographical story of a real character - Dick Whittington (who really did become Lord Mayor of London!). Panto is the first theatre most English children get to see - and it's also a firm favourite with old people too! It's nice to have an "all join in" entertainment rather than TV or traditional theatre!

[@Saint_Dan132]

i studied musical theatre and was in 3 pantomimes as main parts all for chariety, omg had such a fun time x

[@Saint_Dan132]

mine was raupunzel, alladin and a show we wrote named "what the dickens" best thing we ever did was perform for hospice chicldren and those who just lost parents , it was the saddest but most fulfilling

[@cr989]

I'm going to see Jack and the Beanstalk at my local theatre this week, the tickets were £19.50 but going up in price depending on the seats. Lots of local village halls put on amateur productions too, I grew up going to see our village panto and my dad would be in the cast, it's very nostalgic and a tradition to go every year to see the panto, great fun!! Oh yes it is !! 😂

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Panto is said to be derived from the Italian comedic form known as Commedia dell'arte. I know that there are some similarities to Spanish Zarzuela too. Whilst at choir school junior prep in England, I always spent post-Christmas exeat with a roomie's family in N Wales. Each year we'd attend a panto at Liverpool's Empire Theatre, a 4 hr drive away. The one I best remember was Jack & the Beanstalk, featuring Hylda Baker and her sidekick Big Cynthia (a drag artist named Victor Graham). This whole cross-dressing idea has continued in modern British comedy, as is best demonstrated in the record-breaking Elton John stage musical Billy Elliot.

[@speleokeir]

You're right that the Rocky Horror show is basically a horror themed panto. It's co-creator Richard O'Brien who played Riff-raff is British, so would have grown up with pantos. Shrek is also basically a panto and like a panto the jokes are on two levels one for kids and another for adults. The Hong-Kong pantos mentioned in this video are pretty much the same as British ones, with a few minor differences based on their local culture. A lot of British pantos include well known TV celebs and comedians in their casts. Common fairy tales used are: Aladdin, Cinderella, Jack & the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Dick Whitingham and Snow White, etc. They tend to be about 2-3 hrs long including an interval. Ticket price varies depending on where you sit, the time of performance, etc. Many give concessions for group bookings, OAPS, unemployed, etc. The basic cost for my local one without concessions is £15-30. In places like London it may be more. My local panto in Coventry's Belgrade Theatre has excellent and very traditional pantos. The dame is always played by a chap called Iain Lauchlan who also writes them. Here's a 5 min video of him explaining what a panto is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4KYgZmPj56Jl68 If you actually want to watch one I recommend The 'Show goes wrong' production of Peter Pan. This has an extra layer of comedy as the troupe pretend to be a disaster prone amateur dramatics group. The video is just over an hour long. The narrator, David Suchet, is famous for playing Agatha Christie's detective, Poirot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYe9eGaDorKHmas

[@paulinemably9572]

I teach in a British International School in Slovakia where most of our students are not British and we have significant Slovak, Slavic, Korean and Chinese populations and we staff do a panto every year. Thanks to Covid this will be our first since Xmas 2019 and we are really looking forward to it. We have to teach our kids what panto is and they are always so confused.No matter what we tell them before hand they still always except really sophisticated theatre! That is definitely not panto but it is an art form and that is a hill on which I'm prepared to die. What I will say is that you haven't lived until you've played the Wicked Queen to an audience of baffled Korean kids who are new to English and just look so very confused 😂😂😂 Pantomime rocks and I am taking my 4 year old daughter to Wales this New Year and we are hoping to take her to her first pantomime and I am so excited.

[@tomcoward16]

Thats cool , haha I can just imagine the confused faces .

[@sidsaunders7030]

Hello girls, if you want a laugh have a look at the full Peter Pan Goes Wrong. it is the traditional pantomime gone wrong, lots of slapstick from the BBC. Take a look at So Gal on here, an American girl watching it for the first time.

[@janettesinclair6279]

I recently watched that and it is hilarious! Recommended....

[@clarelawton4653]

I’m going to two soon, can’t wait, missed a couple of years due to closures, pantomime is another reason for you to visit at Christmas or new year 💕

[@lizstratton9689]

So pleased you enjoyed Panto ... what a fab tradition, it's all very silly and a bit like Marmite you love it or hate it. It does you good to laugh we're all booked in for Dec 26th. My Husband does not do Panto, apparently we are very loud, noisy and embarrassing. I did not know about the name. As the jokes are recycled every year you can find yourself laughing before the joke comes out because you can see it coming. Classic Jokes at our Nottingham Playhouse Panto's include "She said Bum", "Nighty Nighty .... Pajama Pajama" and we always have Giant Rabbits ... no idea why. Panto normally pulls in your local Dance and Drama schools so they perform a couple of dances or play the children if needed. You have productions at village Panto level through to the biggest Theaters and where else can you see David Tenant or Sir Ian McKellan in drag having a laugh over Christmas.

[@tanyabrockman3866]

I work at a Primary school and each year the whole school goes to our local panto. They tend to put on performances which are just for schools to attend. The children love it.

[@robn71]

I grew up in a family that was heavily involved in panto's and amateur dramatics and I didn't know some of the history behind the pantomime so that was interesting.👍

[@alisonsmith4801]

I'll be taken my 2 eldest grandsons to their first Panto this year, aged 5 and 3 to see Cinderella at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle and I'm so excited for them cos I know they're gonna love it.

[@barryhumphries4514]

A Pantomime is a kind of traditional stage play for children and families like Cinderella, Jack and the bean stalk, Dick Wittingham etc. Usually starring some celebrities and well known actors improvising comedy and involving the audience. They are produced over the Christmas period and are good fun.

[@fionagregory9147]

Dick Whittington is the correct spelling.

[@juliewigley5781]

Oh please watch one as that was A LOT of information ha ha. You’d love it. There are some amazing productions. Moving floors and all sorts. Love your energies ❤️

[@sandrabeaumont9161]

Most provincial theatres do a panto around Christmas time, even the more established theatres like The Palladium in London do them. Most of our well known actors and actresses do them. There's even been s few 'A' listers from Hollywood have come over and done them.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

This is fascinating

[@ianprince1698]

they seem to like playing the villain, they can really ham it up!

[@stephanstreet2160]

I’ve been to one with Henry Winkler (Fonzie) in Woking and he was brilliant

[@davidlawlor6751]

can i just say i have just watched 14 of your vids over 2 days having watched other guys doing the same thing, but yours are the best. think i have caught up, so can sleep before 2am now.

[@TheNatashaDebbieShow]

That's very kind of you! Now get some rest! 😉❤️

[@patriciacrangle8244]

A lot celebraties do panto they think it is an honour to be asked to appear in one It is a tradition with lots of families to go Boxing Day ( day after Christmas Day) to go to the panto Pantomimes run from beginning of December to end of January lots of amateur theatre groups also do the pantomimes x

[@ecrbunker1975]

Hi there ladies - yes I'm a viewer from Hong Kong!! - British - grew up here and been here for 44 years My Mom was a Can can dancer and magician's assistant in shows with the Hong Kong Players in the 1980s

[@kellyfairbairn9333]

Panto version of 12 days of christmas is usually a giggle. It's usually performed in the middle to distract from scene change. Yeah the prank thing happens here too. The last show usually gets very silly in a good way.. Usually soap stars or comedians but David hasslehoff and precilla presley have been in them.

[@anthonyphilips7171]

I believe that George Takei (Mr. Sulu of the original Star Trek) and Mr. T have also been in panto, playing the genie , though not in the same production

[@caroline_scotland]

Love Panto.. always takes you back to being a kid again going to them😁😂 You’ll find full Panto videos on here to watch. Always great fun👌🏼💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@daffodil800]

every town in the UK has a pantomime in Dec/Jan usually starring soap/boyband/reality stars and local celebrities, some celebs have been doing it every year for many years.

[@alimar0604]

My mother used to play the piano for our village Panto OH YES SHE DID! 🇬🇧

[@axiana]

We are going to the theatre to see Beauty and the Beast next weekend, tickets range from £13 for up in the Gods to £70+. We paid about £35 each for half decent seats. There are four personalities from TV starring in the production. They are very kid friendly and there is also a date you can book for a relaxed performance. These are designed specifically for adults and children with autism or other communication / learning needs.

[@glenmartin7978]

Price depends on the celebs who are in it (how much they are payed to be in it) and how big the group are if they are a well known group or not some Local AmDram groups write their own Pantos I have been in around 8 to 10 pantos before Going into Musicals which I do now

[@alisongibson2294]

It's in every theatre all over UK every year alot of famous actors an actresses sometimes do them alot

[@Jobladesuck]

The pantomime is a place where even the adults can be like children for the night and the silliness helps us hark back to our own childhood Christmas’s with a bit of magic and sparkle. Us Brits are really good at risqué jokes that go over the kids heads in general and adds naughtiness and cheekiness to the festivities. This is a holiday camp type technique too over here which is popular and fun. We have at least one celebrity in each panto and the Dames are usually local and that is their specialty. We went last week to see Snow White in Nottingham and Joe Pasquele was in it and Faye Tozer from the pop group steps. I can honestly say I have never laughed so much in a long time and it was almost painful, no exaggeration. You would have to know who Joe pasquele is though and then you would know why 😂

[@richardhood1337]

I used to work back-stage on a village pantomime. With a bit of ingenuity, we were able to pull off some rather good sets and minimal set changes. Was a great yet hectic December and Januar, from set building to breaking the set and store the props for the following year and return the village hall back to being the village hall.

[@bobclarke1815]

A lot of British TV stars perform in panto every year.

[@dianepiggott1083]

My husband normally helps out in the local panto. He plays guitar in the panto band. He is in a band called Edison Lighthouse (most famous song Love Grows where my Rosemary Goes) unfortunately this year Edison has a gig at the same time as the panto so can't do the panto. He is gutted he can't do the panto he loves doing it each year. It's amateur so he doesn't get paid but he says taking part each year is a highlight of his year as it's so much fun. He loves the enjoyment the kids and adults get taking part in the production but also the audience participation.

[@beverleyrankin3482]

I’ve always loved that song! It reminds me of going to an ice skating rink in Glasgow as it was one of the songs that was played a lot.

[@paulfreeland8927]

Interesting take on panto. Most of it was very informative and accurate BUT, some important things missed out (certainly concerning UK productions). Pantomime audiences consist mainly of children and their parents. Primarily it's a kids entertainment show. However, to keep the parents amused there is quite a lot of innuendo, risqué jokes and bawdy humour that entertains the adults but doesn't register with the children. Also, in professional productions, a lot of the stars are actors in the "twilight" period of their careers. However, some major stars of stage and film still appear because of the sheer tradition. Probably don't get paid as much as normal but still do it for altruistic reasons, tradition and just for fun!. I've worked on a few amateur productions (backstage only, as I have no acting talent at all) they're just so much fun, lots of practical jokes and probably too much alcohol consumption, especially on the last night show

[@DaveBartlett]

Of course when TV shows like Australian Soaps where in their heyday, every pantomime everywhere in the UK seemed to feature at least one member of the cast of "Neighbours" or "Home & Away".