Pantomime is a type of stage art known since ancient times and always popular, the main means of expression of which are the artist’s facial expressions and plasticity. Elements of pantomime are often found in folk dances, are common in modern acting and are widely used in training young artists in the art of acting on stage.
“Pantomime is the poetry of silence.” Joseph Michael Kreutzer.
The tasks facing a mime actor are, in essence, indistinguishable from the tasks of a dramatic actor. This:
- Creating a bright stage image.
- Continuous action in the fight against proposed circumstances.
- Emotional expressiveness and recognition.
The main difference is that the mime does not use speech, the absence of which is compensated by a variety of non-verbal expressive means - plasticity, facial expressions, and gestures.
Despite the grotesque and exaggerated nature of the gestural, facial and plastic techniques used in pantomime, they all come from life, from human emotional reactions and their physical expressions. That is why pantomime lessons are taught not only at the Faculty of Theater Arts, but also in areas not related to stage practice: from lessons in seducing girls to methods of investigation and diplomatic negotiations.
At the Benefis theater studio, great attention is paid to the art of pantomime. It is taught to both adults and children. Our teachers know that pantomime is a great way to master stage movement and plastic techniques. Our students explore the capabilities of their body and learn to convey their thoughts and emotions through gestures. The art of pantomime relieves psychological tension, develops reaction and balance, and increases joint mobility. This type of physical activity is very beneficial for both children and adults.
Choose the most suitable course for yourself. We conduct classes for adults and children in the center of Moscow.
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Pantomime for children
Any modern children's pantomime theater in Moscow or theater group begins training little artists with pantomime. Most often, kids learn to pretend to be animals and play charades, when one child shows a certain scene, and the rest try to guess the word. The benefits of such exercises for child development are enormous, including:
- development of imagination
- developing the ability to correctly express emotions
- liberation and strengthening of self-esteem
- taste for creativity and creative thinking
- broadening your horizons and gaining valuable emotional experience
- development of communication skills and interaction with other children.
The pantomime game for children is suitable for any age and is recommended for home activities. This is a fun, exciting and exciting way to spend time usefully, which can replace your children's mindless sitting in front of a computer or TV screen. You can play comic pantomime games together or in a large group of children, at birthdays, Christmas trees, school matinees, or just every day in your free time.
Children's tasks
Funny tasks for pantomime can be of varying complexity, depending on the age of the child. For the youngest children (up to 4 years old), the option of simply repeating after adults is suitable. Children love to imitate their mothers and fathers, showing how they do the cleaning, prepare dinner, get ready for work, and so on. This is exactly what you should do with children, gradually complicating the tasks. You can invite children to depict various domestic and wild animals, inanimate objects (for example, transport), representatives of professions (for example, policeman, fireman, doctor), etc.
Choose games and competitions based on your child’s interests! The most important thing is to arouse his interest and taste for creativity.
Children 4–6 years old can quite use their imagination and come up with ideas for pantomime on their own; you only need to offer them simple topics. The child learns to remember what he usually does in different situations and reproduce small scenes from his own life.
Examples of topics:
- Seasons,
- kindergarten,
- in the courtyard.
Pantomime for primary school children may include tasks for expressing feelings and experiences. The experiences should be simple and familiar to the student, for example, fear, joy, grief, surprise, etc.
Examples of tasks:
- dad brought a new toy;
- It is your birthday;
- a dog is running towards you;
- you got a D (A).
It is best to work with teenagers in a group, because the first thing that arouses interest in a teenager is communication with peers. Fairy tales, role-playing pantomimes for company, charades and similar games are perfect. It’s better to think of complex words for pantomime, which require imagination and a search for non-standard approaches.
These may be interesting animals:
- chameleon,
- ladybug.
Popular TV shows:
- "Fashionable sentence"
- "House 2",
- "A big difference".
Stars:
- Sergey Zverev,
- Timati,
- Boris Moiseev,
- Ksenia Sobchak.
Teenagers appreciate humor, so it is better to come up with funny words for pantomime. When making jokes about celebrities or famous TV shows, stick to the ones that lend themselves best to parody.
Fairy tale script without words for children
Staging a full-fledged fairy tale performance without words can be a wonderful pastime for your child and his friends on the occasion of a holiday or just in his free time. To do this, you do not need a special adapted script for a pantomime fairy tale for children without words; you can choose any fairy tale with roles and adapt it for production. Here's how it's done:
- Search for a fairy tale. When choosing a fairy tale, read the text carefully; it should contain as little “water” as possible and as much action as possible. You can check this very easily: as you read the lines, try to imagine how you express their essence without words, with the help of gestures and facial expressions. It turns out? This means that this is a good text, feel free to take it to work.
- Distribution of roles and preparation. Discuss the fairy tale with the children, invite them to choose their own roles, tell the plot of the fairy tale in detail, but in your own words.
- Conditional location and mise-en-scène. Agree with the little artists on how you will equip the playground, what zones you will divide into in accordance with the requirements of the fairy tale (palace, tower, cave, dark forest, etc.). Each hero must understand where he is supposed to be and what to do. Of course, children will not be able to remember everything, but do not worry about this, because you have the role of the leader of the fairy tale - the only person who can and should speak. You will direct all the action and will be able to help the actors.
- When the preparatory work is completed, the performance can open. You, as the presenter, announce the characters' exits and read their text, and child actors translate this text into sign language. It looks something like this:
Presenter: “I am King Pea, the king of the distant kingdom!”
The child proudly beats his chest, adjusts his imaginary crown and shows with his hand how wide his domain is.
Opera "The Snow Maiden"
Date: November 10
Time: 18:00–19:45
Place: Moscow New Opera Theater, Karetny Ryad street, building 3, building 2
The story of the beautiful Snow Maiden unfolds against the backdrop of Maslenitsa - a short boundary between winter and spring, eternal peace and eternal love. She bursts into the lives of fairy-tale people and changes a lot. In this opera, the mythical is intertwined with the earthly, and the earthly is elevated to the mythical.
Pantomime for adults
Pantomime is not only a set of educational exercises for children, but also a way to diversify any adult party. The game “Crocodile” is not inferior in popularity even to “Mafia”, because it perfectly liberates the company and lifts the mood. In addition to leisure time with friends, “Crocodile” can be used as training for employees, since valuable skills are developed during the game:
- sense of team, cohesion;
- ability and desire to interact with each other;
- intelligence and logic;
- imagination and creative approach to problem solving.
No matter how far two people are from each other, during the game they become allies, acquire common interests and have a pleasant time together. Barriers and distances disappear by themselves. It is much easier for people to communicate after such practices, so the pantomime fairy tale for corporate parties in roles is widely used to create a healthy and positive atmosphere within the team.
Rules of the game "Crocodile":
- The player who shows the hidden word is prohibited from speaking, pronouncing the word with his lips or using any sounds.
- It is forbidden to show the word by letter.
- It is allowed to show each word separately if a phrase or phrase is guessed.
- Spectators can ask questions, and the acting player can answer them only through pantomime.
Example words
Difficult:
- hydroelectric power station,
- magnitude,
- historical materialism,
- natural selection,
- binomial theorem.
Funny:
- polite deer,
- elusive Joe,
- delirium tremens,
- childbirth,
- enema,
- horse in a coat,
- cheerful drug addict,
- homeless optimist.
Scene:
- desert Island,
- spaceship,
- Submarine,
- North Pole,
- Ocean floor.
Circumstances:
- salary was delayed
- got married
- divorced
- quit,
- won the lottery
- drank too much
- underdrank.
Characters and heroes:
- D'Artagnan,
- Winnie the Pooh,
- Headless horseman,
- Master Yoda,
- Kenny from South Park
- Bender from Futurama.
Musical "Flint"
Date: November 11
Time: 18:00–20:00
Place: “Theatrium on Serpukhovka”, Pavlovskaya Street, building 6
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "Flint" in the "Theatrium on Serpukhovka" turned into a musical. The love story of a simple soldier for a spoiled and wayward princess looks modern - with fashionable choreography, stunt fights and spectacular scenery.
The rapidly developing events are accompanied by live orchestral music. Spectators will be treated to an unusual mixture of jazz, trip-hop, dub, afrobeat, ethno, ambient and other modern musical styles.
Performance "Blue Bird"
Date: November 12
Time: 12:00–14:15
Place: Moscow Art Academic Theater, Tverskoy Boulevard, building 22
Incredible miracles happen on stage: milk, bread, fire come to life. Together with the heroes Tiltil and Mytil, viewers will go on a journey through a mysterious world. They will go “in a long line after the blue bird” - in search of happiness.
This search at the Moscow Art Theater has been going on for 108 years. The play was staged by Konstantin Stanislavsky in 1908, and since then it has been running unchanged with constant success. Now “The Blue Bird” is played by a new generation of Moscow Art Theater actors. There is no such old-timer in any theater in the world.
Musical "Mowgli"
Date: November 12
Time: 12:00–14:00
Place: Moscow State Academic Operetta Theater, Bolshaya Dmitrovka street, building 6
The law of the jungle is cruel, where the weak are prey for the strong. The tiger Sherkhan and the jackal Tabaqui are sure of this. The law of the jungle is fair, because “you and I are of the same blood, you and I.” This is what the pack leader Akela, the she-wolf Raksha, the panther Bagheera, and the bear Baloo, who saved and raised Mowgli, think so.
In the operetta theater, guests will enjoy a fireworks display of music and bright colors, acrobatics and dances. In the spotlight, the mysterious jungle and its inhabitants - the heroes of Rudyard Kipling's most famous fairy tale - will come to life.
Props:
- host and dragon costumes
- shields (according to the number of guests), cut out of a cardboard box and children's coloring books with images of Vikings or dragons (not painted) glued to them. The handle for the shield is made from adhesive tape.
- face painting
- modeling balls (swords)
- blanks for Viking helmets (how to make them will be described below)
- map of the road to the island with the names of the islands written backwards
- jump rope
- cards with words (+ with pictures, for those who cannot read)
- a large sheet of paper with a drawn oval of a face, felt-tip pens.
- large, thick trash bags (replaces race bags)
- balloons with dragon names inside. The mouths of dragons are drawn on the balls.
- dart with a sharp tip
- clothespins
Scenario
Leading
: Dear squad, we are glad to welcome you on our drakkar (Viking ship). Today we have gathered here to properly celebrate the birthday of our leader Iron Hammer (child's name). And it’s also high time to raid Dragon Island, since according to rumors, a particularly terrible and dangerous dragon, the Fire Nibbler, has appeared on this island.
However, I see that many of you are not ready for such a glorious battle. And without a shield, sword, helmet and war paint, a Viking has nothing to do on this island.
First, children are given coloring boards, which they must color with felt-tip pens. After this, using face painting, we give all the children war paint.
Leading
: Great, squad. Now come one by one to me and get your swords!
It is carried out according to the knighting scheme. The leader taps the child on the shoulder with a sword and names him with the name of a real Viking, for example: Deafening Thunder, Dragon Slayer, and so on.
Leading
: Well, now you are real Vikings. And they, as you know, were brave warriors! Come on, try your martial art on me.
The leader fights off the Viking attack.
Leading
: Eh, you are hot heads! You fight well, but I won’t let you go to the Island of Dragons without a helmet - as soon as the Dragon Nibbler breathes fire, you will perish there with your whole squad.
Children, with the help of adults, make their own helmets. For example, from pieces of wallpaper according to an origami pattern. Or from cardboard, like this:
Helmet blanks must be prepared in advance! (see props).
Leading
: It’s time to board the ship and set off, we have a long way to sail and there will be stops along the way. The Vikings are known to be good sailors, so let's chart the path of our ship. Hmm, our old cartographer Gremlik has done something clever here... I can’t read anything, everything on this map is encrypted.
With the help of clues, children read the correct names: Loki Bay, Shark Strait, Thor Island, Dragon Island, etc. A map with the names of stops written backwards (encrypted) must be prepared in advance (see details).
Leading
: Let's hit the road! First stop: Loki Bay. Oho, what do we have here? Look at the whirlpool in the sea. Come on, which of the squad can hold out longer?
A regular game with a skipping rope to see who can jump how many times (twisted by two adults).
Leading
: Great, here’s our first stop - let’s sit down and rest. The Vikings, by the way, were excellent storytellers, and could tell all sorts of tall tales without blinking an eye in order to surprise their friends and scare their enemies. Let's take turns writing a short story about our extraordinary adventures. Only in the story you will need to use the words that I will show you. Well, let's begin: “One night I opened my eyes and saw outside the window...”
Example words: bat, spoon, awl, pink elephant, fire...
Leading
: It was a nice story. Well, well, let's sail on. Judging by the map, we are in Shark Strait. Only a very attentive navigator can cross it, since not only sharks, but also krakens, and just sea monsters are found here. I will carefully watch the sea and if I shout: “Shark,” you will have to jump from the ship to the right. If I see a kraken, you jump to the left, but if you notice a sea monster, then return to the ship! If anyone made a mistake, don’t blame me, you’ll have to wait here for the command!
A jump rope is placed on the ground - this is a ship. The leader shouts the names of the sea monsters until one of the Viking team remains.
Leading
: Well done! So we arrived at the site of our second stop, Thor Island. Thor was one of the Viking gods and was known as a formidable and powerful warrior. Many artists tried to convey the appearance of this god, but not everyone succeeded. Let's try to draw his portrait. We'll just do it blindfolded.
Each child must draw a feature of Thor's face while blindfolded. The team can give advice to the artist.
Children are given large, thick garbage bags, and they must jump in them to the designated shore.
Leading
: Here we are. Let's rest before the glorious battle. And we will play the ancient Viking game “Menki”.
An “artifact” is placed on the ground and one of the children is appointed as its guard. The guard is armed with a sword (balloon for simulation). The other children are trying to steal this artifact. Whoever the guard hits with his sword becomes a guard. . An artifact can be any item. The ancient Vikings, when playing this game, stuck a simple peg into the ground. There are no winners as such in this game. Children play until they get bored.
Leading
: And here is the cave of dragons. Most of them are harmless, but somewhere among them hides the terrible Dragon Zubastic.
Pantomime script
When planning holiday events, you need to choose a scenario that includes various interesting games. As a good option, you can offer a pantomime script, which will certainly interest the participants of the event. The basis of this scenario is a game of pantomime.
What is pantomime? Pantomime: its essence is known to many - it is necessary to show the word without words, which the other participants must guess.
To lead the holiday and the games themselves, you will need a person who will become the host.
Presenter: – Our festive evening begins. We are glad to welcome all guests. Today the theme of our holiday is pantomime. This is one of the types of stage art in which it is necessary to create an artistic image only through the plasticity of the human body. No words are used. Today, every participant of the holiday will be able to play the role of a pantomime. Participating in the games prepared for you will allow you to learn this amazing art. So, I suggest starting with a game that will allow us to feel like we were in childhood, since many of us played it in our youth. Who wants to take part in an interesting game?
Next, the pantomime script includes the first competition. For this, one participant is initially invited. He will have to show the word that will be written on a piece of paper pulled out of a special box. It is necessary to show without words, only with the help of gestures and movements. All other participants will have to guess this word. The person who names the word first will then show the words. The participant who became the most active and guessed the most words wins a prize.
Presenter: – This game was a great warm-up. Many of us have realized exactly how pantomimes need to be shown. But our celebration does not end with this game. A large number of equally interesting games have been prepared for the participants. Now we will guess the songs!
The next competition, which is included in the pantomime script, is that the participant must show a song without words. All retired guests present at the holiday must guess it. As in the previous game, whoever says the word first gets to reveal the song next. You can display the title of the song or the name of the artist or musical group. You can also show the plot of the song. The most important thing is not to pronounce the words and so that the other participants can guess the musical composition.
Presenter: – This competition showed that the participants of the festival are getting better and better at showing pantomimes. I see that you will soon master this art very well. But we don't stop there. Now a participant is invited for a more complex competition. Thanks to this competition, you and I will be able to get to know each other better.
After this, another competition is held. One person is invited for this. The task is to understand which particular person from the guests present the participant is showing. In this case, the participant himself must show this person’s hobby or profession. After the guest is guessed, he next comes out to show another guest. The competition continues until all guests have been shown and guessed.
Host: – It was a wonderful competition! Now we know each other’s hobbies and areas of activity better. Our festive evening dedicated to the art of pantomime is coming to an end. I am sure that the minutes spent during the celebration brought pleasure and pleasant emotions to all the guests present. Now each of you has acquired the skills of this interesting direction in the performing arts.
Scene for Valentine's Day. Two cupids with bows and arrows come out to do their job. An unusual scene where participants will need to go down to the auditorium.
The plot is this: girls decide what to give their boyfriends on February 23rd. Only ladies participate in the scene. Finally, a legitimate reason to throw the men into the auditorium and enjoy the scene to the fullest.
This skit can be staged on March 8th and on a bachelorette party. The plot is already revealed in the title: best friends tell everyone the secret of how to make and not lose best friends. All, of course, with humor.
A skit for March 8, in which men will joke about typical feminine things. This sketch will be a good addition to the concert dedicated to International Women's Day.
It’s difficult not only for women before February 23, but also for men before March 8. Everyone is solving the most difficult problem - what to give?! This is exactly what we joke about in this scene.
This sketch can be shown at a concert in honor of March 8th, and at a corporate event at a beauty salon or store. Everyone wants to laugh at stereotypical approaches to female beauty.
Imagine that car designers finally decided to create a purely women's car. And even give it to women on March 8th. You understand that this scene is very funny.
A scene for a birthday or anniversary. It can be quickly shown on any free spot in a cafe or restaurant. For the joy of the birthday boy and for the amusement of the guests.
Another humorous skit on the topic of finding a gift for a birthday. Choosing a gift is especially difficult. And in this case, the problem seems completely unsolvable. Both the guests and the birthday boy recognize themselves in this story.
By the way, this scene is also suitable for an anniversary. From five to 10 people can participate in it. The more, the more fun the scene will be.
Performance "Aladdin's Magic Lamp"
Date: November 13
Time: 12:00–13:45
Place: Moscow International House of Music, Kosmodamianskaya embankment, building 52
The fairy tale is based on the story of the potter Aladdin, who fell in love with the beautiful princess Budur and, with the help of a magic lamp, defeated the evil sorcerer Jafar. Spectators can expect a quick change of action, colorful characters, musical numbers and elegant decorations made of oriental fabrics. And the highlight of the program will be a genie, whose appearance can only be explained by magic.
