Originally produced by the AmeRican CitiZeNs' TheatRE , Alan McKelvey will direct Cinderella in the comic style of British Panto, widely popular in Europe. In most of the world, pantomime refers to the silent art of mime. But make no mistake, our production will be anything but silent. Our Cinderella will feature an exciting blend of live music, colorful sets and costumes, hilarious situations, raucous physical slapstick, lots of topical comedy, audience participation and guest appearances by well-known local personalities.
English pantomime dates from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
During the reign of Queen Victoria in the nineteenth century, English Panto became more closely associated with burlesque. Gradually, it developed into its current form, a comic play based on a fairy tale and performed during the holiday season. Traditionally, the hero is a young woman, comic characters are dressed outrageously and the villain is highly hiss-worthy. The play invites audience participation and local celebrities are often featured, giving added fuel to the humor. British pantomime offers something for everybody.