WELCOME TO LOWTHER
Set in the beautiful Lowther Gardens in Lytham St Annes, our theatre has a proud history of serving the Fylde Coast and beyond as a cultural and entertainment hub since 1921. Over the last decade we’ve become a powerhouse in the area, welcoming stars and entertainers from Rick Wakeman to Belinda Carlisle and Jason Manford to Eddie Reader with even more to come in the new year. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, the theatre-goer for your continued support. Whether it’s buying tickets, making a donation or sharing a post on social media - your support helps us to remain at the heart of the community for generations to come. For more information on events or how you can support our future, please visit lowtherpavilion.co.uk.
ABOUT PAUL HOLMAN ASSOCIATES
Paul Holman Associates (PHA) was established over 20 years ago and is now one of the country's leading pantomime producers. We have a credible reputation for providing high quality pantomimes tailor-made for individual venues. Our productions keep the traditions of pantomime alive and vibrant, and reflect the diversity and interests of local communities. paulholmanassociates.co.uk
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PHAPANTOS
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PHAPANTO
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF PANTOMIME Originally a silent form of mime, pantomimes have grown into the festive magic we all know and love with elements of comedy, song and audience interaction. The name ‘pantomime’ comes from the Greek word pantomimos, which means “player of many parts”. The well-known stories are populated with stock characters, including a Principal Boy, Principal Girl and a Dame. The form of pantomime we know today dates back to the middle ages, and blends the traditions of the Italian Commedia dell’Arte and British Music Hall. Commedia dell’Arte was a type of travelling street entertainment that came from Italy in the 16th century and incorporated dance, music, acrobatics and other spectacles in a highly physical form of theatre. Commedia dell’Arte touring troupes had a repertoire of stories that they performed in fairgrounds and market places. Often the troupes were made up of family members who would inherit their characters, costumes, masks and stories from their parents or grandparents. The actors generally improvised their way through a plot involving characters such as Arlecchino (also named Harlequin) and his true love, Columbina (or Columbine). Comic chases and tricks, or ‘slapstick’, were also employed to full effect. Commedia dell’Arte spread across Europe from Italy to France and by the middle of the 17th century began to be popular in England. The Commedia dell’Arte characters first began to appear in English plays around 1660.
WORD SEARCH
TREASURE HUNTING
Help Jack escape with the Giant’s treasure! Add and Subtract to find out how much he can take with him!
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READ THE STORY OUT LOUD
Read our shortened version of Jack and the Beanstalk below and see if you can answer the comprehension questions! Once upon a time, there was a boy called Jack. He lived with his Mum and they were very poor. All they had was a cow. One morning, Jack’s Mum told Jack to take their cow to market and sell her. On the way, Jack met an old man. He gave Jack some magic beans for the cow. Jack took the beans and went back home. When Jack’s Mum saw the beans, she was very angry. She threw the beans out of the window. The next morning, Jack looked out of the window. There was a giant beanstalk. He went outside to climb the beanstalk. He climbed up to the sky through the clouds. Jack saw a beautiful castle and he went inside. Jack heard a voice. “Fee, fi, fo, fum!” Jack ran into the cupboard as an enormous giants came into the room and sat down. Jack jumped out of the cupboard, which startled the giant who shouted. “Fee, fi, fo, fum!” Jack ran away and started climbing down the beanstalk. The giant came down after him. Jack shouted, “Help!” as Jack’s Mum took an axe and chopped down the beanstalk. The giant fell and crashed to the ground. Nobody ever saw him again. Jack and his Mum lived happily ever after.
READ THE STORY OUT LOUD
Read our shortened version of Jack and the Beanstalk on the previous page and see if you can answer the comprehension questions below! Who does Jack live with?
What animal does Jack sell at the beginning of the story?
What does Jack receive at the market from the old man?
What did Jack see when he climbed the beanstalk?
Where did Jack run into when he heard the giant approaching?
What tool did Jack’s mum use to chop down the beanstalk?
What happened to the giant after Jack chopped down the beanstalk?
DID YOU KNOW? PANTO EDITION.
Check out our top five facts about panto below. Did you learn anything new? FACT 1 It is custom for good characters enter from stage right, and the baddie enters from stage left? This tradition has evolved from superstition of right signifying Heaven and left Hell! FACT 2 Many of the pantomime plots are based on folk tales, collected and retold by the French writer Charles Perrault. His book Mother Goose’s Fairy Tales published in 1697, included classic stories like Puss in Boots, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and Sleeping Beauty. FACT 3 The Panto Dame is often dashing on and off stage because it’s an excellent way to show-off the sheer number of costumes this character tends to have!
Is there another fact about pantomimes you might have learned or already know that we don’t? Write it here!
WRITE YOUR OWN STORY!
Jack and the Beanstalk is a timeless tale of courage and family and taking control of your own destiny. Try writing your own story using the story hill template below. Remember to include: Setting and character description, build up and dilemma resolution.
Climax/Conflict
Build Up:
Opening:
Resolution:
Ending:
WRITE YOUR OWN STORY!
A storyboard is a way of telling a story through pictures and a few words. Film makers often use storyboards to show the action planned in a film. 1. Choose one of the following scenes: > Jack selling Daisy the Cow to Fleshcreep for Beans > Jack, Simon and Dame Trott discovering the magic beanstalk in the garden > Everyone climbing the beanstalk to rescue the Princess > Jack fighting the Giant > Jack chopping down the beanstalk 2. Decide upon the main parts of the scene. 3. Use the storyboard template below to draw the main points of your scene in the film-reel style frames. 4. Describe what is happening in the box next to each frame.
ADDITIONAL WRITING ACTIVITIES
Check out our top five facts about panto below. Did you learn anything new?
Task 1 If you were writing the story of Jack and the Beanstalk what would the ending be? Try writing an alternative ending for Jack & the Beanstalk starting from the point when Jack climbs up the magic beanstalk. Think about who he might meet or what he might do! Task 2 Adaptations of existing stories are the most common tales we see on stage. Choose your favourite fairytale story and turn it into a play. Task 3 We know Jack’s family is poor which is why he sells Daisy the Cow, but what about the background of the Giant’s evil assistant Fleshcreep? Tell the back-story of Fleshcreep about why he became so mean and nasty.
Feel free to make any notes in this space or use an extra sheet of paper.
MY PANTO REVIEW Write a short review about Jack & The Beanstalk! What did you like the most? Who was your favourite character?
HOW MANY STARS?
WE’LL HAVE TO
DO IT AGAIN
THEN WON’T WE?
A CHRISTMAS 2024 PANTO! MONDAY 2 DECEMBER 2024 SATURDAY 4 JANUARY 2025
ON SALE NOW FOR 2024! BOOK WITHOUT A BOOKING FEE LOWTHERPAVILION.CO.UK 01253 794221 LOWTHER PAVILION, WEST BEACH, LYTHAM ST ANNES, FY8 5QQ