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a note on origins
'''Pantomime''' (or 'panto' for short) is a traditional form of [[theater]] that is popular in the [[United Kingdom]] at [[Christmas]] time. All pantomimes share certain features, including a matronly 'dame' character played by a man in [[cross-dressing|drag]], an exaggeratedly evil but incompetent [[villain]], a final [[wedding]] scene, audience participation and earthy [[humor]]. Most pantomimes use a traditional plot (often a [[fairy tale]]), such as ''[[Cinderella]]'', ''[[Dick Whittington]]'' or ''[[Aladdin]]'', but almost any well-known story can be adapted into a recognisable pantomime by incorporating the characteristic features of the form.
'''Pantomime''' (or 'panto' for short) is a traditional form of [[theater]] that is popular in the [[United Kingdom]] at [[Christmas]] time. All pantomimes share certain features, including a matronly 'dame' character played by a man in [[cross-dressing|drag]], an exaggeratedly evil but incompetent [[villain]], a final [[wedding]] scene, audience participation, songs and earthy [[humor]]. Most pantomimes use a traditional plot (often a [[fairy tale]]), such as ''[[Cinderella]]'', ''[[Dick Whittington]]'' or ''[[Aladdin]]'', but almost any well-known story can be adapted into a recognisable pantomime by incorporating the characteristic features of the form.
==Characters==
==Characters==
===Aaaaaah!===
===Aaaaaah!===
Characters who are down on their [[luck]] or in unhappy situations often angle for the audience to comfort them with a sympathetic 'Aaaaaah!'. For example, the buffoon's unrequited [[love]] for the main female character will often elicit this response.
Characters who are down on their [[luck]] or in unhappy situations often angle for the audience to comfort them with a sympathetic 'Aaaaaah!'. For example, the buffoon's unrequited [[love]] for the main female character will often elicit this response.
===Origins===
As a traditional form of theater, pantomime's conventions are not formalized, but have grown up organically over hundreds of years by drawing on various different influences. Two of the most recognizeable are [[Italian]] [[Commedia dell'arte]], a stylized theater form that provides the templates for many of the stock characters (the word 'pantomime' comes from Pantalone, one such character<ref [http://www.theatrehistory.com/italian/commedia_dell_arte_001.html The Commedia dell'Arte]</ref>); and English [[music hall]], which supplies much of the bawdy humor and audience participation.
==Present day==
==Present day==
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.its-behind-you.com/ It's Behind You.com]
*[http://www.its-behind-you.com/ It's Behind You.com]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Theater]]
[[Category:Theater]]
[[Category:Christmas]]
[[Category:Christmas]]
[[Category:Comedy]]
[[Category:Comedy]]