Changes

==Origins==

==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.

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.

[[Image:BrianBlessedPanto.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A poster advertising a production of ''Aladdin'', featuring children's TV presenter Kirsten O'Brien and respected actor Brian Blessed (Pic: John Hartnup)]]

[[Image:BrianBlessedPanto.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A poster advertising a production of ''Peter Pan'', featuring respected actor Brian Blessed (Pic: John Hartnup)]]

 

==Present day==

==Present day==

Although pantomime is a traditional theater form, it has not become '[[fossil]]ized', and adapts to suit the needs of modern audiences. Most obviously, professional pantomimes recruit local and national [[celebrities]] to help pull in crowds. These are often [[soap opera]] actors, singers, or [[television]] and [[radio]] personalities. Sometimes people who have been very famous, or 'serious' actors, see pantomime as a humbling sign of a career on the wane, but many others enjoy the work for its own sake - Sir [[Ian McKellan]] is a good example of an actor who chose to take part in pantomime when he had never been more sought-after in serious [[film]] and theater.

Although pantomime is a traditional theater form, it has not become '[[fossil]]ized', and adapts to suit the needs of modern audiences. Most obviously, professional pantomimes recruit local and national [[celebrities]] to help pull in crowds. These are often [[soap opera]] actors, singers, or [[television]] and [[radio]] personalities. Sometimes people who have been very famous, or 'serious' actors, see pantomime as a humbling sign of a career on the wane, but many others enjoy the work for its own sake - Sir [[Ian McKellan]] is a good example of an actor who chose to take part in pantomime when he had never been more sought-after in serious [[film]] and theater.