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Quiz about Panto Is Magical Oh Yes It Is
Quiz about Panto Is Magical Oh Yes It Is

Panto Is Magical! Oh Yes It Is! Quiz


Pantomime, or "panto", is an enduring and continually evolving part of British popular culture.

A multiple-choice quiz by dellastreet. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
dellastreet
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
371,171
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
272
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. At which time of year would you usually see a pantomime? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which of the following statements about pantomime is untrue? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Being such a venerable theatrical tradition, pantomime is always watched in respectful silence.


Question 4 of 10
4. Which of these is not a traditional British pantomime story? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. One of the great dame roles, Widow Twankey appears in the pantomime "Aladdin". She has two sons. One of them is Aladdin himself, but what is the other one called? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which pantomime character is called Priscilla? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which pantomime features Alderman Fitzwarren and the villainous King Rat? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Pantomime producers have long recruited guest artists, casting their nets far and wide. Which Hollywood veteran made his pantomime debut in "Cinderella" in 2007? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Many actors have specialised in playing pantomime dames. Which panto veteran took a break one year to take part in, and win, "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here"? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Panto gets everywhere. In 2004, London's Old Vic theatre produced its own version of "Aladdin", starring which Oscar-nominated actor as Widow Twankey? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. At which time of year would you usually see a pantomime?

Answer: At Christmas time - December or January

Pantomime is a Christmas/New Year entertainment. In earlier times the panto season could last for several months, but professional pantomimes nowadays run for about three to six weeks, depending on whether the cast features much loved local performers or stars specially brought in.
2. Which of the following statements about pantomime is untrue?

Answer: Pantomime productions lose money and need to be heavily subsidised.

The pantomime season is the one time of year when theatres are virtually guaranteed to make money.

Pantomime was a popular form of musical entertainment in ancient Greece and Rome. British forerunners include medieval mummers, 17th century masques and harlequinades based on the Italian commedia dell'arte, but panto itself began in the 18th century. The "pantomime dame" is traditionally played by a man in drag and the "principal boy" is often, but nowadays not invariably, a girl. In spite of this, pantomime is considered family entertainment and provides many children with their first experience of live theatre.
3. Being such a venerable theatrical tradition, pantomime is always watched in respectful silence.

Answer: False

Oh no it isn't! Audience participation is not only permitted, it is compulsory. Baddies must be hissed and goodies warned of their presence ("He's behind you!") and there is always a song for everyone to join in.
4. Which of these is not a traditional British pantomime story?

Answer: Finding Nemo

"Finding Nemo" has yet to find a place in the British pantomime canon, though it might lend itself to some colourful deep sea dance routines. The pantomime versions of the other three stories long predate the Hollywood animated versions.
5. One of the great dame roles, Widow Twankey appears in the pantomime "Aladdin". She has two sons. One of them is Aladdin himself, but what is the other one called?

Answer: Wishy Washy

Wishy Washy works in the laundry that his mother runs in Old Peking. "Aladdin" was first performed in London at the end of the 18th century and Widow Twankey, whose name was derived from a cheap kind of tea, made her first appearance in 1861. Latterday productions of "Aladdin" tend to be influenced by the animated Disney film released in 1992.
6. Which pantomime character is called Priscilla?

Answer: The Goose in "Mother Goose"

Priscilla is the goose that lays golden eggs. Mother Goose is perhaps the most demanding role in the repertoire of damehood, requiring the title character to start off lovable but become unsympathetic when her head is turned by her new-found wealth.
7. Which pantomime features Alderman Fitzwarren and the villainous King Rat?

Answer: Dick Whittington

Alderman Fitzwarren is a wealthy London merchant for whom Dick Whittington works and whose daughter Alice he loves. One of the most evil characters in panto, King Rat (or sometimes Queen Rat) causes Dick to be falsely accused of stealing from the Alderman and in some productions conjures up the storm that wrecks the ship on which Dick and his faithful cat have stowed away. Dick's fortune is made when the cat rids Morocco, where they are cast ashore, of King Rat and all his henchmen.

Richard Whittington was a real-life medieval merchant who was Lord Mayor of London on three occasions. There is no conclusive evidence that he actually owned a cat, but he did marry Alice Fitzwarren.
8. Pantomime producers have long recruited guest artists, casting their nets far and wide. Which Hollywood veteran made his pantomime debut in "Cinderella" in 2007?

Answer: Mickey Rooney

At the age of 86 Mickey Rooney played Baron Hardup, Cinderella's father, at the Sunderland Empire. He repeated the role at the Bristol Hippodrome in 2008 and the Milton Keynes Theatre in 2009. His eighth wife, Jan Rooney, appeared with him as the Fairy Godmother.

The original pantomime guest artistes were stars of the music hall. In time they were replaced by pop stars, television presenters, British or Australian soap stars or even sporting personalities or politicians. Hollywood actors are a 21st century panto phenomenon. Steve Guttenberg, Henry Winkler, Pamela Anderson and Priscilla Presley have all made pantomime appearances.
9. Many actors have specialised in playing pantomime dames. Which panto veteran took a break one year to take part in, and win, "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here"?

Answer: Christopher Biggins

Christopher Biggins won "I'm A Celebrity ..." in 2007. As well as playing a dame for over thirty years, his acting career has included "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the BBC comedy "Porridge". The other three performers were all panto greats, but avoided reality TV.
10. Panto gets everywhere. In 2004, London's Old Vic theatre produced its own version of "Aladdin", starring which Oscar-nominated actor as Widow Twankey?

Answer: Ian McKellen

Though "serious" actors quite often play pantomime villains, it is unusual for such a distinguished classical actor to portray the dame. "Aladdin" was a departure for the Old Vic and was revived the following year, again with Ian McKellen as Widow Twankey.

The critical consensus seemed to be that McKellen was a success, but the production as a whole was less enjoyable than a more conventional pantomime.
Source: Author dellastreet

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor kyleisalive before going online.
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