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Explaining pantomime to child with sensory issues

GuybrushThreepwood

Just wondering if anyone knows of any good resources for explaining a pantomime to a child who hates noise and isn’t usually very comfortable in a theatre unless the subject is something she loves. She’s moved up to junior school and they take them to the local pantomime. School are hounding me to fill in the permission slip although they’ve been told she said she didn’t  want to go. Child has had a recent increase in confidence and now isn’t sure if she wants to go or not rather than a flat no. She’s unlikely to enjoy all the screaming at ghosts and it’s behind you type stuff, she doesn’t always like ear defenders because they don’t block enough but she also doesn’t like putting ear plugs inside her ears. Does anyone know of a good video online which explains what will happen, maybe a filmed version of when the actors come out before a relaxed theatre performance of a play  and show some of the props and demonstrate some of the sound effects?

Parents
  • GuybrushThreepwood said:
    maybe a filmed version of when the actors come out before a relaxed theatre performance of a play  and show some of the props and demonstrate some of the sound effects?

    I would ask the school to ask the pantomime company if your daughter can see behind the scenes for a guided tour. This way she can see it is all an act, they can hopefully explain it to her and tell her not to be afraid and if she sits at the back of the audience then the sound levels will be the lowest they can be and she has a quick route out if it gets too much.

    I found most of these acting companies are really good in helping with this sort of situation as they often care about the people in the audience enjoying themselves and love to show their craft.

    If she doesn't go then there is a risk it will lead to a bit more social isolation through missing out on a big shared event, so I think it worth the risk so long as some precautions such as the above are taken.

    Maybe give her ear defenders as a fallback as well but encourage her to be a part of the pack if she can manage it.

    A high level overview of pantos for kids can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcHxczf0aA4

    YouTube has plenty more videos on the subject but it is probably best to find out what the story is going to be and find one relating to it.

Reply
  • GuybrushThreepwood said:
    maybe a filmed version of when the actors come out before a relaxed theatre performance of a play  and show some of the props and demonstrate some of the sound effects?

    I would ask the school to ask the pantomime company if your daughter can see behind the scenes for a guided tour. This way she can see it is all an act, they can hopefully explain it to her and tell her not to be afraid and if she sits at the back of the audience then the sound levels will be the lowest they can be and she has a quick route out if it gets too much.

    I found most of these acting companies are really good in helping with this sort of situation as they often care about the people in the audience enjoying themselves and love to show their craft.

    If she doesn't go then there is a risk it will lead to a bit more social isolation through missing out on a big shared event, so I think it worth the risk so long as some precautions such as the above are taken.

    Maybe give her ear defenders as a fallback as well but encourage her to be a part of the pack if she can manage it.

    A high level overview of pantos for kids can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcHxczf0aA4

    YouTube has plenty more videos on the subject but it is probably best to find out what the story is going to be and find one relating to it.

Children
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