For many children in the UK, Christmas time means a trip to the panto - the perfect opportunity for families to spend quality time together whilst having great fun. However, panto isn’t just for families, it’s also important for schools as a wonderful way to inspire children, to help understand the world around them and encourage the next generation of performers. Here’s why more schools should embrace the benefits of pantomime – “oh yes, they should!”

Introducing panto to the classroom
Pantomime is a type of creative art which shares many similarities with teaching. With a storyline, audience interaction, props, and space in the front for the performance in front of the audience – it can sound rather like a classroom lesson! When encouraged in schools, pantomime can be useful in helping develop students' concentration, nonverbal communication and enable them to put action and thought together effectively. Pantomime enables students to use their imaginations and understand that any idea they have can be a unique and creative. It's a great way to encourage students to express their ideas, appreciate the creativity of their classmates and boost confidence when performing in front of their peers.

Inspiring children with creative arts
But is it that easy to introduce pantomime in schools? "Oh yes, it is!" As one of the most accessible forms of creative art it can be incorporated into the classroom to encourage fun and learning simultaneously. Pantomime can be used at any age, across any subject and adapted to any level of ability to reinforce a lesson. Whether watching a panto or performing in one, pupils can benefit from pantomiming novels, fairytales and historical events as part of the curriculum to help them better understand what they are being taught. Many students are visual learners, so pantomime provides a fantastic visual presentation they are more likely to remember.

Putting on a school panto
Pantomime is ideal for schools looking to put on a production. Performed by pupils, there are plenty pf parts, it’s fun for everyone and is suitable to almost every budget.

Plenty of parts
What's great about putting on a school pantomime is that there’s usually lots of characters to choose from and most can be adapted to allow for a large cast. This gives everyone a chance to have a role. Aside from the stage performers, there’s an extendable chorus and behind-the-scenes stagehands. Panto is famous for role reversal, so character genders don't have to restrict you.

Fun for everyone
Pantomime is ideal for encouraging children to learn about comedy and how to perform it, it also offers great enjoyment. Don’t forget, there's no rule that it has to be around Christmas. Summer and Easter pantomimes are becoming popular, with some schools even touring their pantomime around other local schools.

Suitable for any budget

Even with a small budget and limited resources, you can still put on a great pantomime with big musical numbers and special effects. The script is at the heart of a good panto, allowing you to add as many bells, whistles, and special effects as you want. The most crucial ingredients are humour and entertainment!

Don’t miss your chance to inspire your children and give them an experience packed full of fun, laughter and amazing characters. Book your tickets to watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Fairfield Halls, starring Kellie Shirley from EastEnders, Biff & Chip and Casualty as ‘The Wicked Queen’. Charlie Guest as ‘Muddles’ and the fabulous Jamie Steen as ‘Dame Dilly Donut’.

School and group rates available, please email schools@bhlive.org.uk

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