"Plaisance Theatre Pantomimes and politics: Both thrive on performance, exaggeration and audience participation. In pantomimes, the audience boos the villain and cheers the hero; in parliament, political leaders are cast in these roles with MPs jeering. It's a comparison Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn understands. "Panto every day would be a good thing. Mind you, I work in Parliament so I get that already," he said."
"This Christmas, he has a cameo appearance in a "gloriously camp" Wicked-inspired pantomime, Wicked Witches, at the Pleasance Theatre in his north London constituency. In a pre-recorded video that's beamed on to the stage, Corbyn takes on the role of the Wizard of Oz-lington in the community production. "I am very proud of Oz-lington because it's my job to represent Oz-lington and to try and do wizard things to improve the area."
Pantomime and politics share theatrical elements such as exaggerated performance, clear hero and villain roles, and active audience response. Jeremy Corbyn appears in a Wicked-inspired community pantomime, playing the Wizard of Oz-lington in a pre-recorded cameo. He frames his role as representing and improving Oz-lington and jokes about fixing problems 'through spells'. The UK Pantomime Association notes other politicians have appeared in panto, including Ken Livingstone and Gyles Brandreth. Traditional pantomimes adapt fairy tales, folklore and nursery stories, but some shows reference civic ambition, as Dick Whittington centers on becoming mayor of London. Parliamentary exchanges often resemble pantomime call-and-response.
Read at www.bbc.com
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