The power of panto

The Guardian celebrates the British tradition of the Christmas fairy tale [the "pantomime" or "panto"] for its ability to bring together people of many different cultures: "There is something quite primal about the power of panto. It is possible (and fascinating) to draw a social history of Britain that mirrors the history of the form, ending with our own tawdry celebrity culture. Politicians who are concerned about integration and British values should have been in our community centre last week, where cast and audience were drawn from every culture, colour and creed, all throwing themselves into the most British of traditions. Our king was played by a distinguished, heavily-bearded, Punjabi-accented British Sikh. 'So let me get this straight,' he said at rehearsal. 'The prince and his best friend are played by women, and the two ugly sisters are played by men?' He pondered this casting for a moment before adding:'So why can't I be Cinderella?' It makes you proud to be British."

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