Doddington Village       

One Act Comedy Play - War on The Wireless Parts - 2 male & 4 female + voice of newsreader . Running time approx 50 mins. SYNOPSIS It is 9pm on 25th October 1942.  The setting is an underground BBC radio studio in the fictional borough of Exwood in wartime London. Floor manager Stephen Caruthers has just heard the BBC studio at Alexandra Palace (Ali Pally) is out of action after being bombed during an air raid. ‘Ali Pally’ had been scheduled to broadcast a live programme that night, “The Way Forward”, a morale boosting radio play about British soldiers at war, fighting in the Western Desert. As the play is deemed vital to the war effort Caruthers has been ordered (at a few hours notice) to stage and broadcast the play live from Exwood. He has been informed that actors and sound technician are en-route from Ali Pally. Only one actor will actually arrive. Despite this Caruthers is instructed “The Way Forward” must be broadcast at all costs. Using secretaries, his mother, her friend and the one surviving actor they try to perform “The Way Forward” live, complete with sound effects. Email for perusal copy panto(at sign)doddington-kent.org.uk The pantomime scripts listed below have a total running time of approx 2 hours (including 15 mins for interval) Click on the links to view samples of the panto scripts and details. For a full perusal copy Email: panto (at sign)doddington-kent.org.uk. Please state your full name, panto group and location. Scripts by Alistair Clinton Pantomime Description Cast No.s The Wizard of Oz Adapting L. Frank Baums story made famous by the film with Judy Garland to panatomime. Script has two Wicked witches, (Sweaty Betty & Anita Repeater) Elvis as the Wizard, a Welsh Tin Woman and of course Lion and Scarecrow 13 characters (incl. 4 doubling) Treasure Island Pantomime at sea, adaptation of Robert Louis Stevensons book. Features pirates (of course) and cannibal indians. Lots of fun 16 main characters (incl. 2 doubling) + Indian Warriors A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens classic tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge adapted for pantomime with plenty of custard pies from not very scary ghosts. 20 main characters + numerous opportunites for youngsters Beauty & The Beast Classic tale of a Beauty who falls for a beast and true love breaks the curse. 9 main characters + Panto horse + chorus If your writing panto scripts an excellent resource is Paul Harris's 'Pantomime Book' lots of traditional gags and sketchs. Just click on the book link below to browse Amazon for this and other useful pantomime books Weblinks: www.amdram.co.uk (info for amateur theatre)

Confused by the Panto Scripts ? Pantomime Explained

Now if your from anywhere other than the British Isles your probably looking at these pantomime scripts with some confusion. A short explanation is required. British pantomime is a peculiar thing, which is peculiar to Britain, where people are peculiar. The rules are almost as incomprehensible as the rules of cricket except any time you like you can change them - as long as it works!.

Pantomimes are primarily for children but also should be entertaining for adults. Invariably its a well known story and often a fairy tale e.g. Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin etc. The pantomime scripts listed above I wrote specifically as the stories are not so well trodden in pantomime, so a little unusual.

Invariably you have a baddie e.g. a wicked witch or evil queen - who is very bad and the audience will hiss and boo them. If they dont the baddie or one of the other cast will make the audience hiss and boo.

Also you have a 'goodie' who the story is usually about e.g. Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin etc. Often these characters are obviously mentally retarded because they fall for the most ridiculous things usually from the baddie.

Often there will be the goodie's friend e.g. Buttons who helps the audience understand the story and is friendly with the audience telling them jokes and throwing them sweets etc. Often this character will get some members of the audience on stage (adults and/or children) to do tasks which they will find funny but will be very emabarressed to do on stage which the rest of the audience will laugh at.

They will usually be a man dressed as a middle aged woman (a panto dame) who will be related to or have no relationship at all with the goodie. The dame is usually well over the top in dress, make up, and manner, and usually have a large repetoire of jokes and short amusing sketchs.

The pantomime goodie will often be a woman dressed as a young man (a principal boy) who should have nice legs displayed. Often the goodie will fall in love with another women dressed as a young woman. Nothing is seen as unusual with this

Then there are various other characters/animals etc e.g. pantomime horse, cow, wicked sisters, lords, ladies, dukes or litterally anything thrown in to make up the 'story' which must have a happy ending, and good must triumph over evil. Characters will sing for any reason or no reason at all.

There is often a fair amount of innuendo and satire on current events. Innuendo MUST go way over the childrens heads or the adults will feel uncomfortable and the atmosphere destroyed.. E.g. a smutty comment must have an obvious literal meaning e.g. Dick Whittingtons girl friend talking about him "Oh I do love my Dick!" the children will draw nothing except the literal meaning from it, the adults will snigger.

Whenever a cast member says 'Oh no you cant' (or variant' ) or "Oh yes I can" the audience has to bellow back the corresponding reply. (several times) This is encouraged and to be as loud as possible.

As much as possible the audience is encourage to shout, or sing, or anything. There are numerous well used 'traditional' panto sketchs and jokes listed in the 'Pantomime Book' by Paul Harris. see link at top of page.

Any of the above can be changed except always any sexual/smutty innuendo must go over the kids heads or the adults are distinctly uncomfortable. Its probably easiest to just go and see the panto from one of the pantomime scripts above - you'll soon get the idea. - Oh yes you will !

Hopefully you get the idea and if your putting on a community pantomime then my pantomime scripts are exactly what you are looking for. Break a leg with what ever production you decide to put on.

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