He's behind you!!

love...love...LOVE panto! rarely can an actor just let themselves go and completely enjoy work without the odd worry or strain that you need to be perfect. panto is a old (almost as old as christopher biggins!) great british tradition that should be forever upheld and cherished. it allows the actor to camp it up rotten and just let go.

let us not forget also that during the winter months, it is the bread and butter of most actors as there's nothing else being produced.

ALSO, let us not forget that many theatres are kept open on the revenue taken from the panto season, therefore giving us actors more venues to do other work in.

ALSO, i do not believe that it is the dumping ground for tired old actors in the twilight stages of their careers. i play the dame character in panto myself, and i consider myself to be in my prime.

ALSO, panto allows an actor to develop their comic timing, improvisation and physical slapstic techniques.

so, in conclusion, anyone who has issues with panto, can go and argue them out with sir ian macellen (spelling?), patrick stuart and a whole host of other well respected actors appearing in theatres nationwide this christmas.

boring stick-in-the-muds who still hate panto? get a life and grow a funny bone.

kisses

x

• 17 years ago
• 21

Blimey you do like Panto don't you Chris!

Well it looks lile I will be doing Panto over Christmas. I never thought I would but the following things have swung it:

1) If I spend another minute on hold while booking travel for this IT company Ishall go spare!

2) It will be a laugh

3) Its great excercise so those excess christmas pounds should shift nicely :)

4) Once I have done it if I hate it I never have to do it again!

:)

• 17 years ago
• 22

Chris, taste is a very personal thing, you can't say someone's wrong because they don't like panto. I totally respect your views but I have to say I find a lot of posts quite aggessive and self righteous. Yes this a forum for free speach, but you're often having a go at people unecessarily or implying so. No biggie, just an observation dude.
Lx

• 17 years ago
• 23

Has anyone ever been a Father Christmas? I was once on my way to the grotto with kids running around me when one of the supermarket staff shouts out, "Santa! We're just sorting out yer tax!" HO HO HO!

• 17 years ago
• 24

please dear, don't call me dude. at my school it meant something else entirely, the like of which is extremely inappropriate to say in front of ladies.

i feel my response to the panto post to be nothing other than a passionate expression for this type of production. any tag line at the end is in no way aggressive, but merely asking people to respond in the same way. i enjoy a lively debate, and get excited when my views are questioned.

i knew a singer of a globally famous rock band once, who said to me that he got such a buzz out of the adoration from his fans, but he also equally enjoyed the people that hated him as that meant he provoked as passionate response. it was indifference that he was insulted by. i have to say, that i feel very much the same way.

as far as my other posts go, i am merely trying to challenge views in a way that will get people stirred up and feeling strongly about the subject, rather than some of the more wishy washy mundane opinions that i hear from time to time. i believe that being in the industry that we are, it is important to have considered your views on various topics very carefully, so as to be able to express them when debating with fellow actors (who are equally as opinionated) and also to maybe use them when developing a character.

ALSO, as i have always said, LIGHTEN UP GIRL! take anything i say with a pinch of salt, as half the time, i'm only winding things up so the debate is taken to a higher level where real opinions are exressed more forcefully and so i can find out the root of what people REALLY feel. to be offended by the things i say, an individual must have incredibly thin skin, and a very precious ego (plenty of those in this business!), no offence! lol

kisses

x

• 17 years ago
• 25

Lol, that's exactly what I'm talking about. You seem incapable of expressing an opinion without being slightly offensive. I personally am not offended by anything you have to say, I'm don't wish to get that involved.
I in no way need to 'lighten up', I'm a perfectly happy, working, individual, I was just pointing out that the way you express yourself is often pompous, arrogant and yes, aggressive. I'm not specifically talking about panto here by any means, it's a general observation. If you feel the need to 'liven things up' your way, that's fine but expect to be challenged. I think you just said you liked that? I in no way wish to start any kind of confrontation here, that's not what this forum is for and I have no interest, or time to be petty, but I do feel that some of your posts are often rather contentious, that's all. I have as much right to my opinion as you do, dear.
Lx

• 17 years ago
• 26

darling, you miss my point again. purely by getting you to respond to even this means that i have achieved my goal. you are right, i love to be challenged, but when you say you won't waste time on this, you have done just that! mission accomplished! if you don't like what i say, ignore it and it may just go away.

as far as being branded "pompous" and "arrogant", pardon if i choose to use the english language in all it's delicious grandeur. i find it helps me to express my feelings in a more entertaining way (for myself at least). and "arrogant"? please my love, if you were to chance upon me at a local watering hole, you would find a humble and rather shy man standing before you. so lets just thank our lucky stars that distance separates us (at least til february when i descend on london to ravage the city and leave it for dead! lol (something for you all to look forward to))

if you personally dislike my posts and creation of debate, remember this. i've had correspondance from other actors who take a 'silent' pleasure in them.

i bid you all good day, if i'm late for work again, i'll get the sack :0)

x

• 17 years ago
• 27

I actually said I wouldn't waste time bickering, not expressing my opinions.
You are confrontational and patronising. Sorry, but that's what I think.
The end.
Lx

• 17 years ago
• 28

I love it when there's a fight - must be the Scot in me!!

Anyhoo, I also love panto but does anyone know of any that are still casting?? Most were done and dusted over the summer. I'd love to get into something that pays more than £3.00 a week and stays in the one place...any help would be brill. Happy to be back end of cow if that's all that's left!

H x

• 17 years ago
• 29

nah. its killing me . i can;t leave it any longer. What on earth did Dude mean at your school?!!

• 17 years ago
• 30

do it! go for everything that you think might help you get experience.

• 17 years ago
• 31

Its not carea suicide (Think Ian Mcellen recently as the panto dame)But i doubt any casting agents would come and see it for straight acting roles.
A different option might be to look at the tours of Scrooge ect if it worries you.
The pay can be very good.It can be fun and also hard work.Perhaps 10 performances a week.
If your free, do it!

Mat

• 17 years ago
• 32

Rebecca,
Anyone saying it's career suicide needs their heads examining, it's just not what some people want to do, as they believe it's not proper acting. Well tell that to all the stars of TV and film who've been at the top of their game and accepted huge amounts of money to go into the lead role so that particular panto get's more bums on seats than the other ones. Theatre is theatre, it's just not a drama, not a musical not an action thriller, but it IS theatre.
Not to mention, it's an experience that does count on your CV, let's say, and I hope this happens to you hun, that you make it famous, you get to christmas your schedule is thin, Panto season is upon you and you're the only star not working. There's no need to wait for stardom to get into the panto spirit!
It's also the chance to work closely with people or celebs that you may never have the chance to in normal circumstances, you have fun at the same time and have a whole audience of kids and adults alike cheering or booing you on, I mean how much fun is that?
Do it hun, you'll love it! You can always take on a tour or rep season in Spring to show off your real skills, but don't become a part of the bigotted minority that don't approve of panto, or worse, that don't see it as professional theatre. Pantomime is ONE of the longest running establishments in British PROFESSIONAL Theatre, How could any industry producer put you down for it?
Go for it

Kenny

• 17 years ago
• 33

Thanks Kenny :)

• 17 years ago
• 34

Here'a a thought Rebecca, to try and figure out this hate thing, yes it's a preference and no I don't wish to force my opinion on this subject but allow me to be meloncholy on Pantomime a sec...
Panto is probably the first Theatrical show a British Child will ever see, it leaves a lasting impression on them. In past experience, and I aren't implying this has happened here, those that hate it generally had a bad 1st time experience of it, like the kid that cries when the baddie comes out snarling, do the mums keep them safe, do they act along with it, most do, but I've played villian to prince to comic, and the amount of kids that were took out of the theatre whilst I played villain really shocked me, and they never came back. I had my own daughter in tears, she couldn't believe that nasty man was me and wanted to leave, it was probable the first time my wife put her foot down and made them all stay to watch, and as the show carried onto the comic and dame she brightened up and started laughing. It wouldn't surprise me if the people in this discussion that hate panto were of the minoirty that left because they were frightened and their parents were either over-protective or embarrassed, Or maybe they were just a little old when they first went to one. OR, and this is maybe a little off the bat, they don't like kids, let alone hundreds of screaming ones anways!
A childs first pntomime makes them follow a range of emotions, fear, hope, love, hate and laughter, the building blocks of life if you ask me.
Most theatrical plays cannot offer that to a child, and as a first impression of theatre? Well that's keeps interest in theatre going isn't it? Or would you rather get them an X-Box?
Just my two-penneth
hope it helps

Kenny

• 17 years ago
• 35

Ultimately the question is really…. Do I wanna work? We might not like every job that comes our way but it pays the bills and that's the reality of the business. You can either be a working actor or an out of work actor.What has more respect? Most casting directors look for someone who have proven they can work. When you've got more experience you can then start taking things off your CV.

• 17 years ago
• 36

wise words kenny.

• 17 years ago
• 37

Somehow David, I think paying the bills is not really the priority for some actors, or even part of their world.
For them, it's much more important to feed their egos, stay in their comfort zone and feel important than put food on the table, challenge themselves and learn a thing or two in the process. They want to pick and choose, be fussy, and run before they can crawl. They already know everything and try to teach the most experienced how to suck eggs. they are pompous, arrogant, and the word humbleness is not in their dictionary. They often suck at what they do as they're unable to learn from anyone or any experience.

And before someone who feels targeted by this character description tries and pick a fight with me, I'm not having a dig at anyone in particular here wanting or not wanting to do panto, if you can afford to turn down work and are not a fan of panto and think you can't learn from it then fair enough - it's just an observation of the profession as I've seen it.

• 17 years ago
• 38

Also,

an successful actor could be considered one who is WORKING. Whatever the job is. But its also what people want to do that measures success for them.....

• 17 years ago
• 39

I will be sure to let you all know how the tour goes and what I thought of it all.

:)

• 17 years ago
• 40