Try as you Might - You'll Never Please Everyone!

"What's really fun is seeing mothers bringing their daughters to the shows. And the best part is the mothers know they don't have to worry about sexual innuendo in the songs. The shows are family shows." {Peter Noone}

The wonderful thing about Pantomime, and the Guildford show in particular, is that although there may be some innuendo and a few near the knuckle jokes, parents can always sit comfortably in the knowledge that their children won't be asking any awkward questions after the show.  If an innuendo is used, it should be able to entertain the adults, whilst going over the childrens heads.  

We have a section in this show, which has the Great British Bake Off as its theme.  We talk about different types of pastry, for example Shoe or Choux pastry.  A good example of the play on words was "Puff Pastry", which followed one of our ensemble, Tayler, crossing the stage with a quite flamboyant walk.  

We checked the gag with a few people before it even went to print, just to make sure people wouldn't get offended.  The decision was made that it was funny - and unlikely to offend many people.  It wasn't until we got into the theatre however that we found that one or two of the cast were unhappy with the gag.  This highlights how different sense of humours can vary.  

We have now, in an effort to make people more comfortable changed the line to "Pastry for a mince pie" or Mince By!  The audience already know what the gag should be, so this does come as a little twist, which is quite clever, however I still prefer the original.  Obviously in pleasing one person, you upset another. 

These differences in humour can be seen from audience to audience.  If we have a young audience they giggle and squeal at the slapstick, more senior adults laugh at the more satirical references and then the blokey blokey dad LOVE the innuendo.  Hopefully at Guildford, we've found a balance this year to please 'almost' everyone!

JB

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