Holidays love a fine British pantomime

It’s never too early to spread some holiday cheer, and this year the British community in Istanbul is bringing the annual Christmas pantomime to its loyal following with the staging of the musical extravaganza Cinderella the last weekend of November.

An old British holiday season classic, the Christmas pantomime, has become an Istanbul tradition among the city's Anglophone and English-learning communities. British pantomime, usually performed around Christmas and New Year, is a popular form of theater that incorporates song, dance, buffoonery, slapstick, in-jokes and audience participation.

This year the British Community Council (BCC) is staging its annual pantomime with the children's classic "Cinderella" at the Terakki Vakfi Theater November 28-30. Each year the event draws not only the expatriate communities, but also Turkish families who are English learners and pantomime aficionados. "The pantomime is a very traditional British entertainment at Christmas," said Simon Cole, chairman of the BCC.

Cole explained that one of the aims of the pantomime was to bring the city’s different communities together, and what better way to do so than by sharing a British tradition.

"The BCC is very concerned with British-Turkish relations and it is an opportunity for Turkish people to experience a British tradition," he said.

"It is very visual so there is no language barrier, and it is also very suitable for children of all ages. We hope we shall see friends old and new at this time of good-will, and the Pantomime will do a little bit more to break down barriers between cultures." Nearly 47 members of the city’s expatriate and local community have volunteered as actors and in other stage roles to keep the tradition going this year. The cast members range in age from seven to nearly 70 years old, said the pantomime’s producer Nikki Dereboy, a British native and teacher at the British International School.

"I always watched pantomimes as a child and then began to take my own children to watch them," Dereboy said of her own family tradition. "I have enjoyed seeing how a group of such disparate people pull together to perform this fantastic, magical show." Dereboy said the most impressive part of the plot which is loosely based on the well-known tale is the transformation of the pumpkin into a carriage onstage, nothing short of a feat for the cast and crew this year.

Of course Cinderella has two ugly stepsisters played by men in classical pantomime form. And the audience is as always invited to add the remaining thrill to the show, an Istanbul tradition that has been taking place in the city for decades.

"For many years the BCC has staged a pantomime which takes place at the beginning of the Christmas season to provide an opportunity for people to enjoy a traditional form of British theatre," said Dereboy. "Although all the songs and dialogue are in English, the strong story line, bright costumes and many songs and dances enable the show to be easily followed and enjoyed by both English and non-English speakers."

Cinderella show and ticket information

Cinderella will be staged at the Şişli Terakki Vakfı Theater Located on Ebula Mardin street in Levent. Tickets are available beforehand at Greenhouse Books in Kadıköy and the British International School in Etiler.

Friday, November 28 at 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, November 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 29 at 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 p.m