CURTAIN UP

So, here goes… pinch your nose, laddie, and jump in the deep end… degree of difficulty 0.1. Did you hear the splash, folks?

It is only quite recently that I discovered what a ‘blog’ actually was to be perfectly honest… and how often do you meet someone who’s perfect and honest these days? So, make the best of me, because we are a disappearing breed!

I wasn’t sure whether Blog was the name of a character in ‘Lord Of The Rings’, an Icelandic pop singer, or a Brazil nut-encrusted chocolate bar! Then I discovered it was “a blend of the term web log”, so I thought it must be a brand of coffee!

You see, modern technology is not my tumbler of tea. I am still trying to figure out how a yo-yo works! The part of Yorkshire where I was born, bred, and still live, is serious Luddite country, and consequently, if this experiment in banging my own trumpet comes apart at the seams, I wouldn’t be at all surprised. Still, as the man said, “Let’s live tonight, and we can see a psychiatrist tomorrow!”

I worked in the entertainment business for over 30 years, as a publicist, administrator, professional actor and set designer, and children’s entertainer. 

I write pantomime scripts and sell them internationally (CUE GASPS OF ADMIRATION). Well, I don’t actually sell them. Amateur theatre groups pay me for the privilege of presenting them on stage.

G. Wizz Promotions pantomime scripts are intended to be suitable for production by both large and small amateur groups. There are sixteen titles to choose from, all with the vital ingredients to ensure a successful show – traditional storylines, lots of comedy, and a good mix of songs and action. Visit my website for the whichs, whats, whys and the wherefores… www.gwizzpromotions.co.uk

PANTOMIME

This thoroughly English art form owes its origins to the 16^th century Italian Commedia dell’ Arte. It was influenced by the early French ballet, and the Victorian melodrama, reaching the form so familiar to us these days only around the 1900s.

There are those who consider Pantomime to be inferior to other forms of theatrical presentation, but it is neither inferior nor superior, it is a unique type of theatrical entertainment, and should be treated as such.

Because it deals with fairy stories with fantastic plots, and includes audience participation, and slapstick, because it is presented for family audiences and the particular delight of children, it should not be demoted to the second rank, and be regarded as less important or less difficult to perfect than drama, comedy, tragedy or farce. It is a serious discipline, demanding dedication, skill, know-how, and lots of hard work.

A quote from an amateur drama group’s website… “We usually present three productions a year, a pantomime in January, a light-hearted play in April, and something a little more challenging in October.” Hoity-toity hogwash!

Many people who put on a pantomime are unfortunately under the impression that all you have to do is simply go on stage and be funny. The truth is that even a simple show involves a great deal of effort, particularly if you want it to look good. I have a maxim that I have applied in both the amateur and professional theatre,,,  "How ever well you do a show, it can always be done better".

Of course, audiences at amateur pantomimes do get some enjoyment out of seeing people they know, dressed up in outrageous costumes, doing silly things, but I reckon that they get much more pleasure and are much more appreciative of a well-presented production… providing of course that you start off with a good script.

I don’t write scripts to a formula, but tend to follow my nose and instincts, in the hope that I will end up with a good storyline and a balance of action, comedy, and music. My experience in the amateur theatre, the professional theatre, and as a full-time children’s entertainer, has I reckon, given me some understanding of what works on stage, particularly with regards to comedy. Although of course, I am still learning.

I do try to craft my scripts, and keep them as tight as possible. My aim is to provide societies with the ingredients to produce an entertaining show. Unfortunately, some people think that a script is simply the basis for ego trips and ad-libbing, but there you go.

As far as I am aware, five-time Oscar winner*, Billy Wilder never wrote a pantomime, but he was involved in writing the scripts for five of the American Film Institute's 100 Funniest Movies.

He co-wrote the screenplays and directed two of my top five favourite films - ‘Some Like It Hot’, and ‘Stalag 17’ (The other three are ‘Li’l Abner’, ‘Genevieve’, and ‘The Wizard Of Oz’’)

Wilder once said, “I just made pictures I would've liked to see.”, and I think that pretty much sums up my approach to writing pantomimes. I don’t write what might be described as “cute” or “winsome” pantomimes. I have nothing against that type of script; it is just that my style is different.

A journalist reviewing a production of my version of ‘Ali Baba’ described it as “… infectious anarchy…” That sums up my style very accurately, in two words. I couldn’t have done it more succinctly myself.

I am however, very much a traditionalist, and I will be expanding on that at a later date.

Suffice it to say that Billy Wilder also said, “They say Wilder is out of touch with his times. Frankly, I regard it as a compliment. Who the hell wants to be in touch with these times?”

He died in 2002 at the age of 95. Written on his tombstone are the words… “I’M A WRITER BUT THEN NOBODY’S PERFECT”

*He was also awarded an honorary Oscar.

CLASS ACT #1

From time to time, I will be posting performances by people who I consider fit into this category, to give an idea of what is possible with talent, know-how, and imagination.

Know-how, you can learn... imagination, you can improve from watching good performances... and maybe that way you can make the most of the talent you have.

In my humble opinion, Miss Patti LuPone and her backing group have got class to spare. The video shows what you can do with minimum props, minimum setting, but a large portion of pizzazz

“'Success in our business is only provisional, and it has to be worked at.” Ernie Wise