Panto's Unlikely Effect on One Woman's Life
I never attended pantos as a child growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe. However, it wasn't until my five-year-old nephew Nicholas watched his first show at Stratford East that I discovered the magic of panto. The experience left an indelible mark on me, transforming how I perceive this festive tradition.
Vikki Stone's Aladdin production at London's Lyric Hammersmith in 2021 was a turning point for me. Just as the UK was emerging from lockdown, Vikki tackled the absurdity and chaos of that period, using satire to bring levity to an otherwise difficult time. The show's blend of slapstick humor, dance, and catchy music was mesmerizing, offering a welcome respite from reality.
What struck me most about this production was its unique ability to engage with the audience. Vikki's bold approach created an inclusive atmosphere where everyone could participate and enjoy themselves. For someone who has written plays addressing complex social issues like Robert Mugabe and migration trauma, Aladdin offered a refreshing reprieve from the gravity of those topics.
This show allowed me to tap into my own sense of humor and playfulness, qualities I've struggled to express in more serious writing. The synthesis of movement, music, and acting that is characteristic of many African cultures resonated deeply with me, particularly as someone of Zimbabwean descent. It's rare to see this fusion in British panto.
The impact of Aladdin extends beyond my personal artistic trajectory. I'm proud to say that we've incorporated an authentically African twist into our new production of Mama Goose, which premiered at Theatre Royal Stratford East. The show celebrates our heritage and offers a unique take on the traditional character.
As Nicholas now prepares to attend his first panto performance, I hope he'll find inspiration in this vibrant tradition and discover its power to bring people together through laughter and entertainment.
I never attended pantos as a child growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe. However, it wasn't until my five-year-old nephew Nicholas watched his first show at Stratford East that I discovered the magic of panto. The experience left an indelible mark on me, transforming how I perceive this festive tradition.
Vikki Stone's Aladdin production at London's Lyric Hammersmith in 2021 was a turning point for me. Just as the UK was emerging from lockdown, Vikki tackled the absurdity and chaos of that period, using satire to bring levity to an otherwise difficult time. The show's blend of slapstick humor, dance, and catchy music was mesmerizing, offering a welcome respite from reality.
What struck me most about this production was its unique ability to engage with the audience. Vikki's bold approach created an inclusive atmosphere where everyone could participate and enjoy themselves. For someone who has written plays addressing complex social issues like Robert Mugabe and migration trauma, Aladdin offered a refreshing reprieve from the gravity of those topics.
This show allowed me to tap into my own sense of humor and playfulness, qualities I've struggled to express in more serious writing. The synthesis of movement, music, and acting that is characteristic of many African cultures resonated deeply with me, particularly as someone of Zimbabwean descent. It's rare to see this fusion in British panto.
The impact of Aladdin extends beyond my personal artistic trajectory. I'm proud to say that we've incorporated an authentically African twist into our new production of Mama Goose, which premiered at Theatre Royal Stratford East. The show celebrates our heritage and offers a unique take on the traditional character.
As Nicholas now prepares to attend his first panto performance, I hope he'll find inspiration in this vibrant tradition and discover its power to bring people together through laughter and entertainment.
but at the same time, they're also a big part of British culture and can be really fun to watch especially with friends and family 
I mean, who doesn't love a good old-fashioned panto baddie or a silly dame 
? But some people might think that pantos are just for kids and that they only appeal to a certain age group... but I think that's not true 
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and i can see why it had such a profound effect on you, but what really got me thinking is how panto has this amazing ability to unite people across different backgrounds and cultures - its not just about slapstick humor and catchy music, it's about creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and included 
. Can't we talk about something more interesting for once? Like that new VR platform that just dropped or how TikTok's algorithm is still a total mess 
. Anyway, I did enjoy hearing about Vikki Stone's Aladdin show – it sounds like a real game-changer (no pun intended) 
- who needs satire when you have panto magic? 
. It's great that it's inspiring a new generation to get involved & find their own sense of playfulness 
. Nicholas is in for a treat! Can't wait to see the impact of panto on his life too! 
. I totally get why Vikki Stone's Aladdin production was a game-changer for you - it sounds like just what you needed after that tough lockdown period 
. And I'm obsessed with the idea of bringing African culture into panto - it's so cool that you're carrying on that legacy in your new show! 
! What I think is really cool is how Vikki brought together different cultures in this production - African vibes are so underrepresented in panto, but they totally added to the energy 
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. It's all about embracing our differences and having fun with them 
as a writer, seeing that blend of satire and slapstick made me wanna try out a more playful side of my writing too 
meanwhile, the African twist in Mama Goose sounds amazing - can't wait to see how it turns out! 
The way Vikki Stone's Aladdin production brought satire to tackle lockdown times is crazy! 
. As someone who loves panto, it's amazing to hear how it impacted your writing and how you've incorporated African culture into a new production 
. Can't wait to see Nicholas experience his first panto show! 
I love how the show had a mix of slapstick humor, dance, and music - its like they mixed all the different emotions into one big entertaining package 
. Its awesome that you got inspired by the show and are now putting your own spin on it with Mama Goose - cant wait to see how its gonna turn out! 
The way the show incorporated movement & music from African cultures had me feeling all the feels 
... and I'm not even a huge panto fan! 