Educator’s Study Guide Cinderella: The Panto

By Caroline Smith

June 6 – June 30KING'S WHARF THEATRE

PENETANGUISHENE

Youth Theatre Education Sponsor

Table of Contents

About .................................................................................................................. 3

About Drayton Entertainment ....................................................................... 3

Synopsis ......................................................................................................... 3

What is a Panto? ............................................................................................ 3

Audience Participation ................................................................................... 4

Panto Stock Characters .................................................................................. 4

Language Arts ..................................................................................................... 5

Questions, Thoughts, Reflections .................................................................. 5

Theatre Vocabulary ........................................................................................ 6

Cinderella Keywords ...................................................................................... 6

Castle Colouring Activity..................................................................................... 7

Word Search Activity .......................................................................................... 8

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Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

The production is an adaptation of the classic fairytale Cinderella in the panto style. It includes unforgettable characters: Cinderella, the Prince, the Fairy Godmother, the evil stepmother, and the ugly stepsisters. A top-notch ensemble has come together for this magical musical, complete with dynamite dancing, laugh-out-loud comedy, audience sing-alongs and plenty of adventure!

Cinderella is a young woman living in Downtrodden Abbey with her best friend Buttons, her pet cat Mr. Whiskers, and her father Baron Notapenny (pronounced not-a-penny). When her father remarries a cruel woman, Cinderella’s life is turned upside down. Forbidden to attend the masquerade ball held by Prince Charming, Cinderella takes matters into her own hands with the help of her Fairy Godmother. When the clock chimes midnight, the fantasy is over … setting in motion a tale of passion, envy, injustice, redemption, and most importantly, love. The enduring fairy tale gets a clever and contemporary makeover in this glittering stage production that features all the classic elements you remember the pumpkin, glass slipper, masked ball … plus some unexpected and surprising new twists!

Synopsis

About Drayton EntertainmentAn award-winning, not-for-profit charitable organization, Drayton Entertainment produces the finest in live theatre at seven venues in southwestern Ontario. Each theatre maintains its distinct identity, but at the same time, combines the strengths and energy of all to provide an entertainment experience that is unparalleled.

The stage for success was first set in 1991, with the launch of the Drayton Festival Theatre. Under the leadership of founding and current Artistic Director, Alex Mustakas, the theatre was an immediate success. Since then, Drayton Entertainment has added the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre, King’s Wharf Theatre (in Penetanguishene), Huron Country Playhouse (with two stages in Grand Bend), St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (formerly Dunfield Theatre Cambridge).

Drayton Entertainment’s distinctive business model provides protection from the inherent fragility of the theatre industry, while providing an outlet for growth and prosperity. This has positive implications for artists and audiences – all of whom enjoy enhanced opportunities both on and off the stage.

By successfully balancing the competing demands of quality productions, fiscal responsibility, and community integrity, Drayton Entertainment has emerged as a true innovator and leader for arts and culture in Canada.

About

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Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

Traditionally performed at Christmas, panto is a popular form of theatre, incorporating song, dance, slapstick, in-jokes, audience participation and mild suggestive innuendo. Plots are often based on traditional children’s stories and fairytales. Cinderella: The Panto retells the story of Cinderella, the honest, good and kind young woman, who finds love while facing the adversity of the villainous stepmother, and her wicked stepsisters. Pantomime has combined many elements of theatre throughout its existence, and has survived by adapting. The element of “novelty” has always been at the forefront, as it has the ability to encompass current affairs within the structured framework. People talk about “traditional” pantomime, but to remain popular, this form of theatre has had to keep its eye firmly on modern trends, and by weaving these into its format, panto remains one of the most popular forms of entertainment.

What is a panto?

Panto stock characters

About

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Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

Audience Participation

In a panto, one of the most important aspects is the interaction between the actors and the audience, as they are best known for their interactive style and humour. The actors feed off of the energy that the audience responds with, when prompted, which in turn makes for a better performance. We want your students to have an enjoyable theatre experience, so encourage them to participate and join in the fun! Some typical interaction includes booing the villain, cheering for the hero, singing along, shouting out phrases and much more!

The Principal Boy: The Prince

He is always brave and resourceful, and is ultimately responsible for vanquishing the “baddies” and bringing the story to a happy conclusion.

The Principal Girl: Cinderella

She is young, smart and kind-hearted. She is feminine, but shows strength in the face of danger. There may be a romance between her and the principal boy.

The Principal Baddie: Stepmother

The story nearly always revolves around the tried-and tested formula of Good conquering Evil and, as such, requires a villain to make all the innocent members’ lives miserable at the top of the play. By the end, the baddie and his/her henchmen will have either been destroyed or made to see the error of their ways.

In a Panto, there are several character types that are traditionally included to have a well-rounded cast that will provide a combination of drama, comedy and sometimes romance.

The Dames (Stepsisters): Atrocia and Revolta

Always played by a male member of the cast dressed in drag, the dame personifies female eccentricity. She is usually older than the other female characters.

The Comic: Buttons

Usually a quirky male character who introduces himself to the audience early in the first Act. Whenever he appears, he usually says “Hello” to the audience, expecting a resounding response. He often asks the audience for advice on the best course of action or the location of another character. He is usually not too bright, but is the most lovable character in the show.

Questions, Thoughts and Reflections

Discussion question for Primary Students:

1. Why is Baroness Notapenny so determined to have one of her daughters marry the Prince? Prince Charming has lots of money but is still unhappy and confused. Do you think money makes people happy?

2. How is this version of Cinderella different from other ones you are familiar with? Does it change the meaning of the story?

3. How is the play the same/different from the book?

4. Think about what life would be like if you have a Fairy Godmother. What would you ask for? Where would you go? What would you do?

5. A lot of people work behind the scenes on a musical to make everything come together. Can you guess all the components that are involved in the creation of a production? (Actors, Director, Music Director/Band, Choreographer, Costumes, Lights, Sound, Stage Managers, Props, Sets, Ushers, Marketing, Box Office, and more).

Discussion questions for Junior Students:

1. Think of somebody you love and believe is truly beautiful. Maybe their inside joy, happiness, and love shines on the outside. Maybe it is your parent or a close friend. Take a moment to write down a few things that make this person beautiful to you.

2. At first Cinders believes it is “Impossible” for her to go to the ball, but when Marie shows her the way and she steps out in faith, it suddenly becomes “Possible!” Can you think of a time in your life you had to do that?

3. In Cinderella we encounter the topic of bullying, can you identify them and discuss some examples of how we can stop bullying?

4. A moral is a lesson, especially concerning what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story. In Cinderella what is the moral of the story, perhaps there a few that you can identify? Can these morals be applied in today’s day and age, in your classroom, school and at home?

5. Write a review/critique for the show. Tell us about what you enjoyed, what you disliked, as well as a brief synopsis.

Language Arts

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Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

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Theatre Vocabulary

Actor/Actress Someone who performs on stage or screen.Blocking The actor’s movements on the stage.Cast/Company All of the actors in the entire show.Character A personality that an actor or script creates.Choreography The organized dance moves.Comedy A work of theatre that is funny.Costume The clothing or outfit worn on stage by performers. Critique/Review Opinions and comments that evaluate the actors or their performances. Cue A signal that indicates something else is about to happen. Dialogue The conversation between actors on stage. Director The person who oversees the entire creative vision and staging of a production. Dress Rehearsal The final rehearsal before the performance with costumes and makeup. Ensemble The group of performers on stage (usually with multiple roles) that support the story. In musicals, this group typically does large song and dance numbers. Gesture An expressive body movement. Libretto The book or text of a musical or opera. Monologue A long speech by a single character. Motivation A character’s reason for doing or saying something. Musical Theatre A type of play that contains music, singing and usually dancing. Playwright The person who writes a play or book of the musical (also called libretto). Props The items carried or used by actors. Stage The area where the characters perform – usually containing a set.

Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

Cinderella Key Words

Magic A mysterious or supernatural force and power. Royalty A person who is from a bloodline of rulers. Fairy Godmother A guardian who is protecting and looking out for someone. Class A characteristic which indicates someone’s wealth. Ball A formal dance. Stepsister A sister who is a result of marriage but has different parents. Palace The fancy home of the ruler. Kindness A friendly, generous or considerate act. Loneliness A feeling of isolation or lack of purpose.

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Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

Cinderella castle colouring

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BUTTONSCINDERELLA

FAIRY

GOWNMAGIC

MIDNIGHT

PALACEPRINCERAGS

Cinderella Word search

Cinderella:The Panto Study Guide

ROYALTYSLIPPER

STEPMOTHER