[thezorbster]

Silly question I know but do they have pantomimes over there? You know, the traditional Brit slapstick "he's behind you!" type?? Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it!!

Answer
a) "oh yes they do" or
b) "oh no they don't"

Just thinking it's probably going to be our last UK Christmas and wondering if traditions like that can be continued....

[wilson182]

Its not something you hear of on a big scale, but they are having a Cinderella pantomime at the little Regency cinema here in Rangiora. My friend and I are taking the girls, so Ill let you know how it went.

[Jameelka]

My 2 girls are off to the Panto with school today in Waiuku.
Only cost $3.50 each!!!!
:raebanana

[DB]

Panto, certainly in this neck of the woods, is a definite case of "oh no they don't".

The problem is that Brit audience members are trained, usually from an early age, to be panto audience members, and know how and when they are expected to boo / hiss / cheer, or shout the appropriate thing, Kiwi's have no such training. Without audience par-tic-i-pation there is no "state of pantomime". However most Kiwi "pantos" feature most of the other elements of standard panto fare, and as such are jolly good entertainment in the height of summer!!

And by the way - the "Panto" at the Regent Cinema at Rangiora isn't at the Regent Cinema: Its a presentation by the North Canterbury Musical Society at the Rangiora Town Hall. The Regent Cinema occupies another part of the building, though in the past movies have been shown in the Town Hall itself, it's not something that has happened recently.

I work (doing technical things, not acting, oh no) with most of the groups who present shows at the Town Hall, and have discussed briefly with one the idea of presenting a "proper" Brit panto, as there's probably enough Brits (or Brit-panto-trained Kiwis, like me) to actually make it worth doing, and maybe educate the natives into the bargain.....

[StevieD]

Interesting thread - both my kids have acted in quite large production pantos here, would be nice to think that they could carry on in NZ. They did enjoy it very much, even though it was hard work dealing with the "over inflated luvvies" at times!

I'm sure a few of the Brit trained members of the audience would get the ball rolling and it wouldn't be long before the kiwi, non-Brit trained audience members would follow suit.

[jodieinchch]

I have done panto's for last 5 yrs in UK. Last year was my final year. Most kiwis dont understand what a pantomime is. I would love it if I could get involved with one in chch.

[thezorbster]

Come on then you Christchurchers (is that you're called?)- get the ball rolling! It's hopefully where we'll end up so by the time we get to Christmas 2007 you could have your first production up and running and we could be in the audience, booing and hissing to our hearts content. Kiwis must be educated on this matter of great importance!

[StevieD]

It is a British institution dear boy! I do hope that the kids can get involved again, they would love it. They had a rest last year because the year before was particularly hard on them, they did an awful lot of shows, but the rush keeps them going.

[Caroline and Dave]

For those of you in uk who want to see a good panto turn on BBC2 on most wednesdays and watch prime ministers question time. Good for a right old laugh

Dave and Caroline