Well, I have to say Little Red Riding Hood was definitely a unique experience, it was nothing like the other pieces we saw in London. Unlike the serious dramas that filled many of our nights by comparison Little Red was just a grand ol good time! It was a panto, which in Britain is a fairytale with musical numbers that has a ton of audience interaction. It doesn't just break the fourth wall it smashes it into pieces. Which of course made me both really nervous all the while entertaining me.
I find it hard to fairly analyze Little Red because it just didn't take itself to seriously. I couldn't seem to find time to criticize anything because I was far too busy shouting at Granny to TURN AROUND! I had never been to any kind of the theatre like this before. I've never had an actor so forcefully demand my attention. I mean I was not about to defy the three little pigs, I was going to play along I was more than happy to say oink oink oink. I didn't want to get singled out.
I can't imagine what that had to be like for an actor to have so much direct power over your audience. To actually be able to yell at that man sleeping in the first row. It must be a rush. While I'm sure the power was great, the amount of energy the actors had to constantly give up was just incredible. They were just so pleasant and enjoyable. I even had a soft spot for the big bad wolf and his morphing hairstyles.
Little Red was just a great show and I just had a great time. I really wish that pantos like this would come to America, I know I would have loved going to one of these as I kid. I certainly still enjoyed going to one in my twenties and I really feel like Little Red was fun for all audience members, big and small.
I find it hard to fairly analyze Little Red because it just didn't take itself to seriously. I couldn't seem to find time to criticize anything because I was far too busy shouting at Granny to TURN AROUND! I had never been to any kind of the theatre like this before. I've never had an actor so forcefully demand my attention. I mean I was not about to defy the three little pigs, I was going to play along I was more than happy to say oink oink oink. I didn't want to get singled out.
I can't imagine what that had to be like for an actor to have so much direct power over your audience. To actually be able to yell at that man sleeping in the first row. It must be a rush. While I'm sure the power was great, the amount of energy the actors had to constantly give up was just incredible. They were just so pleasant and enjoyable. I even had a soft spot for the big bad wolf and his morphing hairstyles.
Little Red was just a great show and I just had a great time. I really wish that pantos like this would come to America, I know I would have loved going to one of these as I kid. I certainly still enjoyed going to one in my twenties and I really feel like Little Red was fun for all audience members, big and small.
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