Why choose to perform Ben's Rapunzel Pantomime Script...?
- ben60467
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Rapunzel is another of those much loved tales almost as old as time...
The story was crystallised for us by the Brothers Grimm – and it’s from that version that the story we know today takes much of its narrative and inspiration. My pantomime script included.
So, what’s special about it and why should you choose to perform it?
First off, I think it provides your Acting Company with some first-class acting challenges - more complex and nuanced than in some panto script titles, but still with plenty of knockabout panto mayhem and fun added into the mix.
Take Gothel, the Witch. She snatches Rapunzel. She locks her in a tower and is violently jealous of any threat to the exclusivity of the relationship she imposes upon her. She wants love, but it really is twisted love.
So, in amongst the villainy, there needs to be some vulnerability and pain. This I think, makes the part very challenging and satisfying to play.
Next – and just as importantly, is the relationship between Rapunzel and Rudi, the young man who “rescues” her and ultimately saves her life.
It’s the most fully developed of all the Principal Girl and Boy relationships I’ve written and involves a story arc that humans have enjoyed watching for centuries - the pair who are obviously right for each other but take the whole show to realise it! (See, Much Ado About Nothing, The 39 Steps and countless romantic comedies…)
As you can probably guess, they do eventually find love, but it is a long, bumpy journey with some very funny comedy along the way.
As anyone who knows my pantomimes will testify, I do love a good pantomime animal and I’m very pleased with the invention of Waylon, who is Gothel’s pet weasel.
He inhabits both puppet and human form and is introduced to us as a weasel-sized puppet in Gothel’s bag. However, if he becomes agitated, he goes ‘Pop!’ and becomes human-sized, totally bonkers and enormous fun for both the actor playing him and the audience!
The Dame is Rapunzel’s Nannie, Hilda. As such, she’s totally wrapped up in the story from the get-go and is a great audience favourite, together with her scouting mad son, Max, who always has scouting badge expertise (including some pretty esoteric scouting badge expertise) in whatever subject is necessary to get them out of trouble!
Choosing a panto script is also about making sure that it is right for your group and Rapunzel has exceptionally flexible casting. You can perform the show with as few as seven Principals, or as many as twelve, or anywhere in between. However you decide to cast the parts, you’re guaranteed to have a lot of fun, so do please go ahead and check out the script!