An idea mentioned on Master Harvey's thread, and after hearing that Dreamtree has never experienced a pantomime I thought a Hantomime was a must.
Hamerella (Cinderella) is open for auditions! Newtie has bagged a part as an ugly sister, if nobody minds.
Any hamsters wishing to spend some time during and after the New Year performing in the Hantomime, please opt for a part. Parts listed below although open to other suggestions for roles in the hantomime: Please note the personalities of the characters can be acted so it doesn't necessarily need a grumpy hamster to play a grumpy role
Hamerella (pretty blonde girl)
Anastasia (ugly sister - very big and grumpy)
Baron Hardup (Cinderella's muddled, confused Father)
Wicked Stepmother (Cinderella's stepmother - Mother of the ugly sisters)
Drizella (ugly sister - slightly less big and slightly less grumpy)
Fairy Godmother (kind pretty lady who can do magic)
Buttons (a kind cheery young man, page to Baron Hardup, who is Hamerella's friend, nice to her, cheers her up and secretly a bit in love with her. Wears a uniform with lots of buttons!)
Prince Charming (says it all)
Dandini (Valet to Prince Charming)
Various mice and guests at Prince Charming's ball
Just for dreamtree and US friends, here is a brief rundown of pantomime - this one in particular. It is basically a comedy, or farce - a lot of exaggerated, over the top characters and comic lines from the pantomime "dames" (in this case the ugly sisters). With a straight story in the background. The pantomime "dames" are men playing women's parts. Often big burly men dressed in over the top old-fashioned womens clothes.
The level of script and story is aimed at children and families. Often one or more characters will fly (using stage wires) and various things will be thrown out to the audience at various times (eg sweets).
At some point usually some of the cast (buttons or the ugly sisters) will go into the audience and fetch some children up onto the stage to take part in a mini part of the story.
There is a pantomime tradition of particular lines - which a character says, and the audience shout back and respond to. eg "Oh yes he is!" (audience "Oh no he isn't!") repeated a number of times. Or "It's behind you!" This happens in almost all pantomimes every year as part of the tradition.
It is mainly comedy. Sometimes a song may be used as part of a scene - usually a pop song eg,with words that fit the actions of the scene.