Pantomimes
The British pantomime probably dates back to the middle ages, and blends the traditions of the Italian 'Commedia dell' Arte, and the British Music hall to produce the art form that is pantomime. Commedia dell Arte was a 16th century street entertainment that used dance, acrobatics, tumbling and buffoonery.
Pantomimes have evolved to become as big a part of Christmas as Santa Claus and his reindeer. Most pantos have a very familiar story line, which ends with the principal boy and girl living happily ever after. You'll nearly always find goodies, baddies, a principal boy and girl, a dame and animals in British pantomimes. But, each character is open to very different interpretation, depending on the story being told.
Every year in 1066 Country we stage some of the best family pantomimes in the South East at our theatres and arts venues. Hastings' White Rock Theatre shows a traditional fairy-tale story with familiar faces from film and TV. Arts hot spots, the Stables Theatre in Hastings and the De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill host alternatives to the traditional show with interpretations of long-told tales or dance and modern performance.
2007 Panomimes and Christmas shows
Sleeping Beauty: White Rock Theatre, Hastings – 15 December 2007 to 1 January 2008
Beauty and the Beast: Stables Theatre, Hastings– 14 December 2007 to 23 December 2007
Acrobats and Angels Christmas, Circus, Cabaret: De la Warr Pavilion, Bexhill – 22 December 2007 to 30 December2007
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