Pantomime

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Pantomime (/ˈpæntəˌmaɪm/;^[1] informally panto)^[2] is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and (to a lesser extent) in other English-speaking countries, especially during the Christmas and New Year season. Modern pantomime includes songs, gags, slapstick comedy and dancing. It generally combines gender-crossing actors and topical humour with a story more or less based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or folk tale.^[3][4] Pantomime is a participatory form of theatre, in which the audience is encouraged and expected to sing along with certain parts of the music and shout out phrases to the performers.

Pantomime has a long theatrical history in Western culture dating back to the era of classical theatre. It developed partly from the 16th century commedia dell'arte tradition of Italy and other European and British stage traditions, such as 17th-century masques and music hall.^[3] An important part of the pantomime, until the late 19th century, was the harlequinade.^[5]

Outside of the British Isles, the word "pantomime" is often understood to mean miming, rather than the theatrical form described here.^[1]