Readers' Blog: Old panto needs some modern input
I want to call out some dangerous messages transmitted to our children every Christmas season. There are many, but the one that caught my attention this year was the panto at the Cork Opera House.
We, as a family, enjoy the annual panto tradition and always attend filled with anticipation for a clever script, dance routines, special effects and innocent fun.
The audience was filled with children hyped up on sugar and excitement, with a lot girls dressed up as Snow White waiting for the entertainment to begin. The young audience are primed, but I believe some of the scenes were problematic to say the least. The first was when Snow White was paid for kisses from her friend Muddles. What was the point of that? What message are we sending to our young boys and girls?
The second occasion was when Snow White appealed to the audience: “Boys and girls, what I should do about the prince.....” I wanted to shout out Again, the focus on attracting a prince (who will I guess provide a royal life) is the message being sent to our young boys and girls.
Finally, as far as I can remember there were no children, dancers or actors of colour on the stage; why? Should we not see more diversity in Ireland 2017?
There are many examples of innovative, funny, clever kids movies; Inside Out, Frozen, Moana that are subverting the same old script and offering an empowering view of life and relationships. I would appeal to the script writers, producers, directors of the Cork Opera House and others to try a little harder.
