Robert Cohen - Theatre, Brief Version-McGraw-Hill Education (2016)

Theatre 297
“Panto” is a traditional English Christmastime entertainment for both
adults and children. (The word is short for “pantomime” but bears
little relation to the American art of that name.) Here the distinguished
classical actor Ian McKellen (right) plays Widow Twankey
(cross-gender casting is essential to panto), and Roger Allam plays
Abbanazar in a 2004–2005 version staged at London’s Old Vic.
“Panto has everything theatrical—song, dance, verse, slapstick,
soliloquy, audience participation, spectacle, cross-dressing and a
good plot, strong on morality and romance—what more could you
want from a family outing?” says McKellen. The outrageous panto
costuming is by Mark Bouman. © Geraint Lewis
Tourist literature portrays the island of Ireland as a peaceful and beautiful land, but unfortunately it has suffered fiercely contentious
rule for most of its political history. Martin McDonagh, English-born but of Irish parents, writes about the island’s notorious
“troubles,” as they are famously called there, and his 2002 The Lieutenant of Inishmore, a dark (and many say tasteless)
comedy of violence, torture, and killings (of both humans and animals), both shocked and fascinated London audiences. Paul
Lloyd (hanging upside down) and Peter McDonald are shown here in one of the play’s grimmer scenes. © Geraint Lewis