Pantomime: A performance that
communicates an idea or action
without using dialogue.
Community Call: What do you think
are qualities of good pantomime?
Pantomime Notes Sections
1. What is Pantomime?
2. Three Basic Qualities of Good Pantomime
3. Three Basics of Pantomime Story Lines
What is Pantomime?
• Communicating an idea, character, or story
without speaking
• Ranks as the most difficult, time-consuming,
and technically complicated aspects of theatre
• Visibility, gesture, expression, concentration,
and energy are vital to pantomime
Basic Qualities of Good Pantomime
Even with much training or time, you can emphasize
three qualities necessary to effective pantomime:
1. Consistency: Objects that are mimed must remain
the same size.
2. Exaggerated Resistance: If a mime pushes against
something, pulls something, etc. the resistance of
person against object must be exaggerated and made
“bigger” than in real life.
3. Exaggerated Expression and Gesture: If a mime points
to someone, cries, laughs, becomes angry or sad, etc.
the facial expressions and gestures used must be
exaggerated, or made bigger, than in real life.
Basics of Pantomime Story Lines
Your pantomimes must eventually tell a story and hold
audience interest. Some suggestions for doing this are:
1. Keep it Simple: The storyline must be simple if the
audience is to understand. A complicated story plot runs
the risk of losing the audience somewhere along the way.
2. Tell a Story: In making up a storyline, actors think in terms
of an initial situation (beginning), problem or complication
arising in the situation (middle), and a solution to those
problems (ending).
3. Be fantastic!: In pantomime, problems and solutions can
be less realistic, more creative, and more fantastic than
those in real life or realistic improvisation with dialogue
Remember…
An interesting scene can develop from almost
any initial situation, depending on the
creativity of the actors. And creativity is
something, for most people, that has to be
practiced.
LET’S WARMUP!!!!!!!