Panto Audition

Dame: Jack?! Oh, boys and girls. Well, you must excuse
me, I have just woken up, but I think youll agree I am
still looking rather dashing. Did I hear someone say
beautiful? I think it was that boy there, well I totally
agree my love. Although, my breath does smell a bit. Ill
tell you what, will you guys tell me if it does? Ill
breathe on the front row. (SHE DOES SO). Well is it that
bad? It is? Not to worry Ive got some of that Katie Price
perfume Ill give my tongue a good spray later. Have
you met my son Jack? You have? Well hes a hard
working boy but he needs to work a little harder. Rather
than running around like a lunatic. But on to more
important issues, I am sure youve noticed Ive been on
a diet to keep my figure slim but I didnt expect to be
this skinny! I suppose Jack told you all about me? He
didnt? Well my name is Dame Mercedes kailey Martha
Jessy Po Trott. But you can call me Dame. Now after
three I want to all to shout out your names. 123
oh brilliant, now I know who you are, although I didnt
get everyones. (POINTING TO AUDIENCE
MEMBERS). Whats your name? Ohhh a very strong
name! And you dear whats your name? Oh a lovely
name. I better go and see where my boy is. So Ill see
you later my lovelys! Ta rar.

How to: Audition and perform for

pantomime
25th October 2011

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple

Pantomime season is fast approaching and many of our Spotlights members will be
auditioning for or performing in panto for the first time.
Pantomime is a regular source of employment for Spotlight members at this time or
year and requires a special set of skills to master the audience.
We asked Ian Liston, founder of pantomime specialists the Hiss & Boo Company for
his advice for first-time panto performers.
All too often newcomers to the wonderful world of pantomime totally underestimate
what theyre letting themselves in for. Of all aspects of theatre, pantomime is
perhaps the most demanding and the most unforgiving - when it comes to
performance.
As a company specialising in pantomime we only look for triple threat performers.
The number of companies using specialist dancers is decreasing year by year as
budgets become tighter and the need to utilise a company to maximum effect
becomes ever stronger.
Where we do have an ensemble they will be employed as much for their singing
and acting skills as for their movement abilities.
All our ensemble performers will usually have small speaking roles and they will
each be expected to understudy principal performers: theres no better way to learn
about pantomime.
At an audition we will be looking for someone who has a bright, vibrant personality.
All too often auditionees let themselves down badly by being so negative.
Those interviewing you dont want to share the troubles of your difficult journey. Nor
does it make much sense to tell them how difficult it is to find work and that you
havent had a paid job for 12 months. As the song says, accentuate the positive!
Be prepared to give your best with an up tempo number (no torch songs please!)

which you know well and are confident performing - and make sure it shows you off
to your best advantage.
Its surprising how many dull actors just stand there and sing a song. A song needs
to be sold. You need to be sold. Most of all you need to sell yourself. Convince the
panel (without being pushy or conceited) that you are the very best person for the
job, that you have all the skills theyre looking for.

Cinderella at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport

You always have to remember that, unlike most conventional plays or performance,
with pantomime there is no fourth wall. Principal characters, especially the dame and
the Silly Billy-type characters plus the fairy and the villain often have to address
the audience directly and interact with them.
I always caution actors new to pantomime to be very aware of that first entrance
when for the very first time, usually early on a cold winter morning, you will suddenly
have a wall of sound greet you as you go out there and say, Hello boys and girls.
Never ever try and fight them back, or try and top them especially if youre playing
a villain as youll never win. Never! Thats where the art of how to control an
audience comes in to play, and thats something I contend cant be taught - it can
only be discovered and learned by experience.
Playing in pantomime doesnt come easy to every actor and Ive heard many fine
actors say that they would never could never - play in pantomime. Its a very
demanding art and it requires a fit performer in more ways than one.
Physical and vocal fitness is required to play a two and a half hour show twice a day,
six days a week for four weeks, and the ability to rub along at close quarters with the
same group of people day in, day out is also a prerequisite.
Its both a treat and a unique experience to perform in pantomime. The more you
enjoy it and throw yourself into all the conventions of panto, the more it will be
appreciated by the audience. Its an experience youll never forget. And who knows
how many youngsters might be so enchanted by their first visit to the pantomime that
they will become a theatregoer for life. I know I did!

http://shop.stagescripts.com/categories/pantomimes/by-davidmaun/beauty-and-the-beast.html

Kid: Have you heard the news? King Stephen is throwing a ball! There will be a feast to
honor the birth of his new baby daughter! Theyve named her Aurora, which means sunrise.
Maleficent: Well what an attractive gathering we have here. I spy royalty and my, my, my nobility, t/he gentry and how quaint, four little Oompah Loompahs who escaped from the set
of Charlie & the Chocolate factory!. I felt quite slighted not receiving an invitation of my
own. Id hoped that it was merely an oversight. Now I can tell by the looks on your faces that
I just wasnt wanted. Pity. Then Id best be on my way. Oh - - and to show that I bare no hard
feelings, I too will bestow a gift on the child Listen well, all of you!(change tone of voice)
The Princess will indeed grow in grace & beauty and be loved by all who know her. But,
before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she shall prick her finger on a spinning wheel - and
die!
Princess Aurora: Rest? How could I possibly rest at a time like this? All my life I dreamed of
meeting a handsome prince. I imagined what it would be like to be born a true princess. And
now, they tell me its all about to come true. In a couple of hours Ill be meeting my future
husband, Prince - - - whats-his-name, and this isnt what I want at all! How dare my father
send me away for 16 years & then tell me that I must wed a a-- whats-his-name. And why?
Because it was all arranged at birth? This is mad! This is absurd! This is -- hopeless. How can
I marry whatshis-name, when my heart belongs to Phillip?
Gollum: (with an evil expression) We wants it. We needs it. Must have the precious.
They stole it from us. Sneaky little Hobbitses. W 1
1
3icked. Tricksy. False!
Smeagol: (sweetly) No. Not master.
Gollum: Yes, precious. False. They will cheat you, hurt you, LIE.
Smeagol: Master's my friend!
Gollum: You don't have any friends. Nobody likes you!
Smeagol: (covering his ears) Not listening, I'm not listening.
Gollum: You're a liar and a thief.
Smeagol: No.

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Gollum: Mur-der-er.
Smeagol: Go away!
Gollum: Go away? (Gollum laughed manically as Smeagol began crying)
Smeagol: I hate you, I hate you.
Gollum: Where would you be without me? Gollum! Gollum! I saved us! It was me!
We survived because of me! (Smeagol stopped crying)
Smeagol: Not anymore.
Gollum: What did you say?
Smeagol: Master looks after us now. We don't need you.

Gollum: What?
Smeagol: Leave now, and never come back!
Gollum: No!
Smeagol: LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK! (Gollum growled back in
frustration) LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK! (Silence)
(Smeagol hesitated and looked around, then realized that Gollum had left, and he
began to dance and jump around)
We told him to go away. And away he goes, precious! Gone! Gone! Gone! Smeagol
is free!