Educator’s Study Guide Jack and The Beanstalk:

The Panto

By Caroline Smith

Nov 28 – Dec 30ST. JACOBS COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE

Youth Theatre Education Sponsor

Table of Contents

About .................................................................................................................. 3

About Drayton Entertainment ....................................................................... 3

Synopsis ......................................................................................................... 3

What is a Panto? ............................................................................................ 3

Audience Participation ................................................................................... 4

Panto Stock Characters .................................................................................. 4

Language Arts ..................................................................................................... 5

Questions, Thoughts, Reflections .................................................................. 5

Theatre Vocabulary ........................................................................................ 6

Colouring Activity ............................................................................................... 7

Word Search Activity .......................................................................................... 8

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Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide

This production is an adaptation of the Old English fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk in the panto style. It includes unforgettable characters: Jack, Super Simon, Widow Twaddle, Clarence the Town Crier, The Vegetable Fairy, King Buttercup, Princess Buttercup, and Evilus Maximus. A top-notch ensemble has come together for this magical musical, complete with dynamite dancing, laugh-out-loud comedy, audience sing-alongs, and plenty of adventure!

Jack, his brother Simon and their mother are down on their luck and they need to make money fast. But when Simon takes their beloved cow to market, all he gets for her are a few measly beans. But these are no ordinary beans... they're magic! When the beans grow into a gigantic beanstalk in the middle of his mom's garden, a wild adventure begins. Jack climbs to the top above the clouds where he finds an enormous castle, a large goose that lays gold eggs, a feisty princess in need of rescue ... and a giant with an even bigger appetite!

Synopsis

About Drayton EntertainmentAn award-winning, not-for-profit charitable organization, Drayton Entertainment produces the finest in live theatre at seven venues in southwestern Ontario. Each theatre maintains its distinct identity, but at the same time, combines the strengths and energy of all to provide an entertainment experience that is unparalleled.

The stage for success was first set in 1991, with the launch of the Drayton Festival Theatre. Under the leadership of founding and current Artistic Director, Alex Mustakas, the theatre was an immediate success. Since then, Drayton Entertainment has added the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre, King’s Wharf Theatre (in Penetanguishene), Huron Country Playhouse (with two stages in Grand Bend), St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, and the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (formerly Dunfield Theatre Cambridge).

Drayton Entertainment’s distinctive business model provides protection from the inherent fragility of the theatre industry, while providing an outlet for growth and prosperity. This has positive implications for artists and audiences – all of whom enjoy enhanced opportunities both on and off the stage.

By successfully balancing the competing demands of quality productions, fiscal responsibility, and community integrity, Drayton Entertainment has emerged as a true innovator and leader for arts and culture in Canada.

About

3

Traditionally performed at Christmas, panto is a popular form of theatre, incorporating song, dance, slapstick, in-jokes, audience participation and mild suggestive innuendo. Plots are often based on traditional children’s stories and fairytales. Pantomime has combined many elements of theatre throughout its existence, and has survived by adapting. The element of “novelty” has always been at the forefront as it has the ability to encompass current affairs within the structured framework. People talk about “traditional” pantomime, but to remain popular, this form of theatre has had to keep its eye firmly on modern trends (including the use of popular contemporary music), weaving these into its format, to remain one of the most popular forms of entertainment.

What is a panto?

Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide

Panto stock characters

About

4

Audience Participation

In a panto, one of the most important aspects is the relationship between the actors and the audience, as they are best known for their interactive style and humour. The actors feed off of the energy that the audience responds with, when prompted, which in turn makes for a better performance. We want your students to have an enjoyable theatre experience, so encourage them to participate and join in the fun! Some typical interaction includes booing the villain, cheering for the hero, singing along, shouting out phrases and much more!

The Principal Boy: Jack

He is always brave and resourceful, and is ultimately responsible for vanquishing the “baddies” and bringing the story to a happy conclusion.

The Principal Girl: Princess Buttercup

She is young, smart, and kind-hearted. She is feminine, but shows strength in the face of danger. There may be a romance between her and the principal boy.

The Principal Baddie: Evilus Maximus

The story nearly always revolves around the tried-and tested formula of Good conquering Evil and, as such, requires a villain to make all the innocent members’ lives miserable at the top of the play. By the end, the baddie and his/her henchmen will have either been destroyed or made to see the error of their ways.

There are several character types in a panto that are traditionally included to have a well-rounded cast that will provide a combination of drama, comedy, and sometimes romance.

The Dame: Widow Twaddle

Always played by a male member of the cast dressed in drag, the dame personifies female eccentricity. She is usually older than the other female characters.

The Comic: Super Simon

Usually a quirky male character who introduces himself to the audience early in the first Act. Whenever he appears, he usually says “Hello” to the audience, expecting a resounding response. He often asks the audience for advice on the best course of action or the location of another character. He is usually not too bright, but is the most lovable character in the show.

Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide

Questions, Thoughts and Reflections

Discussion question for Primary Students:

1. How is the play of Jack and the Beanstalk the same/different from the classic story? What were things about the panto that you liked/didn’t like?

2. Who was your favourite character and why?

3. Why was the King so mean to Clarence and Jack? Even though the King is the ruler of the land, was it fair that he treated the regular townspeople with disrespect?

4. If you knew you had the choice of climbing up the beanstalk or taking the elevator, which one would you choose and why?

5. A lot of people work behind the scenes on a musical to make everything come together. Can you guess all the components that are involved in the creation of a production? (Actors, Director, Music Director/Band, Choreographer, Costumes, Lights, Sound, Stage Managers, Props, Sets, Ushers, Marketing, Box Office, etc.).

Discussion questions for Junior Students:

1. What inspired Jack to want to be a hero? If you were in Jack's shoes, what would you have done?

2. In the story we encounter the topic of bullying, can you identify the moments in the story where there was bullying and discuss some examples of how we can stop bullying in our school?

3. Discuss the main characters of the play and the important role they played in the overall lessons learned?

4. A moral is a lesson, specifically concerning what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story. In Jack and the Beanstalk what is the moral of the story? Perhaps there a few that you can identify. Can these morals be applied in today’s day and age, in your classroom, school, and at home?

5. Write a review/critique for the show. Tell us about what you enjoyed, what you disliked, as well as a brief synopsis.

Creative activities for all students:

1. Draw or write a poem about your favourite scene from the panto.

2. Write a song to add to the show! Who would sing it, and at what part in the story line?

3. Create a new character to add to the panto. Where do they fit in? Create a backstory and design their costume.

Language Arts

5

Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide

6

Theatre Vocabulary

Actor/Actress Someone who performs on stage or screen.

Blocking The actor’s movements on the stage.

Cast/Company All of the actors in the entire show.

Character A personality that an actor or script creates.

Choreography The organized dance moves.

Comedy A work of theatre that is funny.

Costume The clothing or outfit worn on stage by performers.

Critique/Review Opinions and comments that evaluate the actors or their performances.

Cue A signal that indicates something else is about to happen.

Dialogue The conversation between actors on stage.

Director The person who oversees the entire creative vision and staging of a production.

Dress Rehearsal The final rehearsal before the performance with costumes and makeup.

Ensemble The group of performers on stage (usually with multiple roles) that support the story. In musicals, this group typically does large song and dance numbers.

Gesture An expressive body movement.

Libretto The book or text of a musical or opera.

Monologue A long speech by a single character.

Motivation A character’s reason for doing or saying something.

Musical Theatre A type of play that contains music, singing, and usually dancing.

Playwright The person who writes a play or book of the musical (also called libretto).

Props The items carried or used by actors.

Stage The area where the characters perform – usually containing a set.

Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide

7

Jack and the Beanstalk colouring

Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide

8

BEANSTALKBUTTERCUP

FAIRY

GIANTGOLDEN

JACK

MAGICPANTO

PRINCESS

Word search

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Word Search

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BEANSTALK BUTTERCUP VEGETABLE PRINCESSGOLDEN FAIRY GIANT MAGICPANTO SUPER WIDOW JACK

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SUPERVEGETABLE

WIDOW

Jack and The Beanstalk:The Panto

Study Guide