“Rob? Tsk tsk tsk. That’s a naughty word. We never rob. We just sort of borrow a bit from those who can afford it.”
As has become a custom at the end of every NEAT season, our Christmas Pantomime brings a marvelous British tradition to Stuttgart. Families and children – but really anyone in for some organised chaos, comedy and fun with lots of audience participation – enjoy our versions of popular tales, such as Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel. This year’s fairy tale involves an evil Sheriff, a Prince of thieves, and a lot of merry Men/Women.
With King Richard on tour on the continent, the Sheriff of Nottingham is making people’s lives hell with taxes and bad jokes. And Robin Hood and his Merry Men/Women are fed up! When the Sheriff decides to force Marian to marry him, Robin and his friends resolve to get rid of the Sheriff for good. Join the adventure with the usual suspects, and some new ones! How will a minstrel, a mystic, and a horse with limited vocabulary help the people of Nottingham? Come and see for yourself!
PERFORMANCES –
Sunday, November 30 at 15:00 hrs in MERLIN – Augustenstr 72, 70178 Stuttgart
Saturday, December 6 at 15:00 hrs in KULTURWERK – Ostendstr. 106a, 70188 Stuttgart
Sunday, December 7 at 15:00 hrs in KULTURWERK – Ostendstr. 106a, 70188 Stuttgart
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PANTOMIME or PANTO for short is a marvelous (if somewhat eccentric ) British institution and a much looked forward to, traditional Christmas event.
The word Pantomime literally means “all kinds” of “mime”.
It began as an entertainment for adults and can be traced back to the ancient Roman ‘Saturnalia’ midwinter feast, at which everything was supposed to be turned upside-down. Men dressed up as women and women as men. Just like the Pantomime Dames (Men comically dressed up as women) and principal boys (young women dressed up as boys, normally the leading role) of the modern day Panto.
During the course of its development, the early masques of the 14th century, were musical, mime or spoken dramas, usually performed in grand houses, and by the 17th century they were merely an excuse for a costume theme party.
A major influence arrived in the 18th century with the Italian tradition of improvised theatre known as ‘Commedia dell’arte’ – the stories of which had many ‘stock’ characters in them such as clowns and jesters and a despicable villain.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pantomimes were changed quite a lot by the popularity of the music-hall entertainments. The stars of the day, comedians and music hall artistes, often adapted the plot, just so they could do their own normal routines!
Today, Panto is primarily a children’s entertainment show, a popular feature on every theatre’s holiday agenda and is based on Folk Tales, Arabian Nights Stories and Traditional Fairy Tales such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and for us this year, Robin Hood.
Slapstick is yet another important aspect of the Panto as is audience participation. The spectators have to work almost as hard as the performers, whether it be joining in the songs, assisting in conjuring tricks, booing the villain and warning the hero with ‘He’s behind you!’ or cheering them on!
By the end of the Pantomime, the villain has been defeated, true love has conquered all and everyone lives happily ever after.
Glimpses from 2025 – Alice in Wonderland
PHOTOS by Uka Meissner deRuiz
New English American Theater Stuttgart 