So in my last post we took a brief look at Cinders, Buttons and the Ugly Sisters, our Heroine, the comic and the villains. We now move on to the rest of the gang starting with our fairy and often narrator.
Most pantomimes have one or two characters that help the story along. With all the madcap humour, songs and dances, sometimes we can get a little lost when it comes to plot. Usually the villain has a lot to do with this, often explaining what has happened, how this has effected his/her plans and what they will now do to regain control. This is often mirrored or aided by your good fairy, spirit or genie, or as they are called in Pantoland. - the immortals.
For the traditionalists amongst you, the immortals are usually of another world or higher power and are often heard speaking in rhyming couplets. Goodies always enter stage right and the baddies stage left as a general rule, but this isn't set in stone. The baddies will usually have a sidekick or minions, where's as the goodies tend to act alone and have control over nature.
Again, the fairy godmother in Cinderella is probably the most recognisable of this stock character. But instead of just turning up for the transformation scene the FG is usually present throughout, often helping the plot along and causing a little mischief where possible. She is the bringer of hope and change for Cinders and most of the "magic" for the audience.
So we've had the comedy, we've got the princess (to be), our baddies and our Goodie! So what about some eye candy for the mums?! Oh ok then... cue, upstage centre, striding on with cloak and chiseled jaw... our Prince (Charming). The more Disneyesque and capable of making the ladies swoon the better - hence why I don't play the Prince! The Prince is usually seen at the start of the panto confiding to Dandini, his man servant how is father is forcing him to marry, and how the Grand Ball will be held to find a suitor. (We'll talk more about the role of these two in Part three when we discuss the panto itself.) he is the symbol of a better life for our Cinders and offers her the way out we all crave for her - even Button's ends up being happy for them!
And then, last but by no means least - Baron Hardup. Cinders Pop and the fall guy for the families financial woes. Obviously Cinders Dad has passed away in the Disney version, hence her bad treatment. In panto because the role of Dame is taken by the sisters, our parent figure is usually a poor father, who is lumbered with the uglies when "Mommy leaves". There are versions where the baron is replaced by the evil stepmother - but it can be a bit of a Dame overload. The baron is also a good dueling partner for both the uglies and Buttons.
Throw in an ensemble and a team of 30 juves to play our villages and all the other roles and our cast is assembled! Avengers, eat your heart out.
In the final part of this biog we look at what is to be expected in the Cinderella Panto!
JB
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