You know Christmas is coming when the panto comes to town
For hundreds of expatriates and Cypriots, the Christmas season in Nicosia begins with the annual Anglo-Cypriot Theatre group’s pantomime. The build up to Christmas has become almost unthinkable without whistling and cheering at the drop-dead gorgeous pantomime dame and booing the panto’s villain (oh yes it has!).
This year, it’s not just any dame that will leave you weak at the knees – it’s none other than the fabulously buxom Dame Eczema Glucose, starring in Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood.
Coinciding with the 25-year anniversary of the theatre group, this is the very first time that crowds will get to see the story of Robin Hood in true panto style. This year’s panto is directed by Lorraine Landon, who many will remember as the director of the first four pantos ever staged by ACT.
“We wanted something different this year to mark the special anniversary, so we chose a script that had never been done before,” says Lorraine.
“There will be a lot more dancing than there usually is, and it’s the first time that modern music will be tied in with the performance. Of course there will also be all the usual humour and plenty of slapstick.”
Pantomime humour is bizarre to say the least. Men who dress as women, women who dress as men, and audiences who jump at the chance to scream out ‘oh no you’re not’ with such vivacity that it would appear they had been locked up and forbidden to raise their voice for years.
But panto is nothing new. It’s a tradition that has captured the hearts of young and old, dating back hundreds of years. British pantomimes take on board the traditions of the Italian ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ from the 16th century, ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ was a type of travelling street entertainment that used dance, music, acrobatics and lots of buffoonery. Commedia spread across Europe and, by the 17th century, began to be popular in England.
Such was the success of Commedia in England that intense rivalry soon sprung up between the theatres producing it. This was the beginning of what came to be known as pantomime, with crowds visiting the theatres for a good laugh and plenty of Christmas spirit.
“Panto has survived through the centuries because it is just so much fun,” says Lorraine. “Sure, we all know that good will prevail and the baddies will be punished, but that’s all part of the excitement.”
This year’s performance is a magical merger of two of the most-loved children’s stories, with the extremes of good and evil mingling into a crazy fantasy world.
Jack and Jill are two innocent babes who are entrusted into the care of their ever-so-horrid uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham. As the two babes arrive in Nottingham accompanied by their nurse, the ever-so-fabulous Dame Eczema, they meet the lovely Maid Marion who is hopelessly in love with Robin Hood but forbidden to see him.
The Sheriff has branded Robin an outlaw for robbing rich to give to the poor, placing a price on Robin’s head for any information leading to his capture and making all hopes of marriage to Marion impossible. But to the longsuffering citizens of Nottingham, Robin is nothing short of a hero whom they will never betray.
Upon learning of the babes’ inheritance, the Sheriff hatches a plan to dispose of them in order to get his hands on their fortune, and enlists the help of two bungling henchmen to carry out his wicked task.
It is not until the goose fair, the scene of the archery contest devised by the Sheriff to lure Robin out of hiding, that the henchmen get their chance. They snatch the babes and take them deep into Sherwood Forest but are overcome by fear of woodland creatures and abandon the children to their fate.
It may still be November but Christmas is coming and there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than by entering a world where normal codes of behaviour have been turned upside down.
Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood
ACT Christmas panto celebrating 25 years since the group’s founding. Premiere November 30 for the Rotary Aspelia Gala Night.
December 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Russian Cultural Centre, Nicosia. 3pm and 7.30pm on varying days. £6/ £3 for children on December 1, 2 and 5.
A donation will be given to the Pregnancy Care Centre and Cans For Kids.
Tel: 22 329293 or buy direct from the Russian Cultural Centre (open 4-6pm on weekdays).
