One of the greatest things about traveling during the holiday season is seeing other cultures’ holiday traditions.  My favorite never-in-America holiday experience happened in London a few years ago, when I first went to see a pantomime production of Peter Pan.

We had been living in London for a few months, and I finally felt like I was hitting my stride with English culture.  I still didn’t exactly know what a panto was, but I knew 1) they were supposed to be good for kids, 2) there was some sort of audience participation, and 3) Henry Winkler was playing Captain Hook.

It all sounded intriguing, but truth be told, they had me at the Fonz.

My daughter and I went to the show with American friends who were equally unclear on the concept, but excited to see Tinkerbell (the girls) and an aging Happy Days hot shot (their moms). As the curtain came up on a gorgeous set and beautifully costumed characters, Peter Pan flew across the stage, our girls caught their breath, and we smiled over their heads. This outing had been a great idea.

That smile turned out to be the first of many, many glances we would exchange in the next 2 1/2 hours.  Pantomimes, it turned out, feature not only song and dance, but also politically incorrect buffoonery, slapstick, cross-dressing, in-jokes, and mild sexual innuendo.

Henry Winkler teased the stage manager, doubled over with laughter, channeled the Fonz and occasionally even recited his Captain Hook lines in character. Toilet paper rolls were flung into the audience, Wendy tenderly cared for the Lost Boys, the house lights came on for a rousing audience sing-along, we clapped our hands to help Tinkerbell get well, and Smee took it from behind from a kangaroo.

It was beyond a shadow of a doubt the most bizarre thing I had ever seen.

Pantos, I now know, are by definition everything I saw on the stage that wild and memorable evening.  They are interactive and irreverent and funny and designed to appeal to children and their parents on entirely different levels.  And they are now my very favorite English holiday tradition.  It may be cold and rainy in the UK in December.  But pantos alone make this an ideal time of year to visit London.

December 16th, 2008 | by Rebecca Tompkins 5 comments