Anastasia ... the Pantomime
The mysterious legend of the lost Russian Princess makes for pantomime with a difference!
Possibly the first pantomime to be released based on the true-life story of Anastasia, this has the added interest value of a compelling storyline from modern history.
Join her incredible journey from the opulence of the Russian Empire, through the poverty of the Revolution and into the magnificence of 1920’s Paris, in a quest to solve what is reputed to be the greatest mystery of the 20th Century!
Combining fact, adventure and romance with all the fun of the panto, this captivating and dramatic script certainly offers something completely different to the norm.
With the added bonus of an educational slant, it may be ideal for schools, colleges or anyone else looking for a pantomime that is entirely new and out of the ordinary!
Full cast and scenery requirements are listed below
"...We had a fantastic time performing ‘Anastasia the Pantomime’! It’s great to find something written in true panto style that hasn’t been ‘done to death’ and made even more interesting by the fact it’s based on real-life Russian people. That being said, it still has all the traditional panto characters and bucket loads of laughs, which kept our audiences enthralled, so thank you for writing such a different and entertaining script.” (Easy Street Theatre Company)
Penguin District School, Tasmania
Penguin District School, Tasmania
EXCERPT from Act I Scene 6: Lydya Potski’s Cookhouse © Alan P Frayn
| LYDYA: | Now, first of all, can we get you both a cup of coffee? |
| SERGEI: | (Amazed) You’ve still got coffee in, after the revolution? |
| LYDYA: | Well, kind of. |
| ANUSHKA: | (Holding up a jar of something brown with no label) Coffee substitute. |
| VLADIMIR: | What is it really? |
| LYDYA: | Mud! |
| SERGEI: | We’ll give it a try – just so long as it’s wet and warm. |
| LYDYA: | Black or white? |
| VLADIMIR: | (Astounded) You’re not telling us you’ve actually got some milk? |
| LYDYA: | Of course! |
| ANUSHKA: | (Holding up a jar of white powder) Well, whitener, anyway. |
| SERGEI: | Come on – what’s that made of? |
| LYDYA: | Dandruff! |
| VLADIMIR: | I think we’ll take it black! |
| LYDYA: | Or how about my speciality – cappuccino? |
| SERGEI: | Ooh, yes please! |
| LYDYA: | Coming right up … |
| (LYDYA takes two cups and turns her back momentarily, upon which we hear her clearing her chest and spitting it out! The OTHER 3 nearly throw up.) | |
| SERGEI: | I think we’ll pass on the coffee, thanks! |
| LYDYA: | Now for something to eat. What have we got today, Anushka? |
| (During the following, ANUSHKA picks up a jar or dish representing each item, then LYDYA admits to what it really is.) | |
| ANUSHKA: | Pickled onions. |
| LYDYA: | Sheep’s eyes, actually! … But don’t worry – they’ll see you through the day! |
| ANUSHKA: | Lemon curd. |
| LYDYA: | Well, ear wax! |
| ANUSHKA: | Crispy bacon. |
| LYDYA: | Okay – cockroaches! |
| ANUSHKA: | Sultanas. |
| LYDYA: | Bogies! |
| ANUSHKA: | Nutella. |
| LYDYA: | Squirrel poo! |
| OTHER 2: | (Reacting in disgust) Err! |
| LYDYA: | What do you mean? It’s got a hazelnut in every bite! |
| ANUSHKA: | How about pea soup? |
| VLADIMIR: | Definitely not! |
| SERGEI: | I don’t fancy any of that. I’d rather have rat pie topped off with dog vomit! |
| LYDYA: | Too late! That was yesterday! |
| VLADIMIR: | Ooh, I just can’t resist this grated cheese over here. (He picks up some grated cheese and rams it into his mouth.) Mmm! Lovely mature Gorgonzola! |
| LYDYA: | No – that’s where I was scraping the hard skin off my feet this morning! |
| VLADIMIR: | I think I’m going to be sick! |
| SERGEI: | Quick, have you got anything you can give him for it? |
| LYDYA: | (Passing him a bucket) Yeah, take this! … Well, we don’t want to waste it – you can’t get porridge for love nor money these days! |
Characters
| TSAR NICHOLAS II: | The Emperor of Russia. (Male) |
| ALEXANDRA: | Wife of the Tsar, the Tsarina. (Female) |
| ANASTASIA: | Young Russian Princess. (Juvenile female) |
| ANUSHKA: | Anastasia after the Revolution. (Principal Girl) |
| EMPRESS MARIA: | Mother of the Tsar. (Female) |
| SOPHIA: | Maria’s Lady in Waiting. (Female) |
| LYDYA POTSKI: | Pantomime Dame, the Tsar’s Cook. (Obviously, best played by a man) |
| VLADIMIR: | The Tsar’s head Butler. (Male) |
| SERGEI: | A junior royal servant. (Male) |
| GRIGORI RASPUTIN: | The Tsar’s advisor, a wandering mystic who becomes the baddie of the piece. (Male) |
| NOKOVA & KIKOVSKI: |
Rasputin’s side-kicks, typical panto-style comedy twosome. (Either can be male or female) |
| MUSIC-BOX FAIRY: | Good fairy themed on a clockwork ballerina. (Female) |
| CHAMBERS: | The Lord Chamberlain. (Male or female) |
| TSARAVICH ALEXEI: | Anastasia’s younger brother. (Male) |
| MARIE, TATIANA & OLGA: |
Anastasia’s older sisters (Female) |
| CHORUS: | Winter Russians Imperial Ball Guests Sprites of the Forest (Good and Bad) Industrial Russian Workers / Citizens Parisians A small group of Male Chorus also play Monks |
| DANCERS: | Featured in musical numbers as desired. |
Scenes (Notes on simplified scenery are also included in the script)
| ACT I | |
| Prologue: | The Magical Music-box (Front cloth or front of Tabs) |
| Scene 1 : | Outside the Winter Palace (Full stage palace scene) |
| Scene 2 : | The Mad Monk (Half-stage scene with front cloth or MS Tabs) |
| Scene 3 : | The Seeds of Discontent (As the Prologue) |
| Scene 4 : | The Imperial Ball, 1918 (Full stage palace ballroom scene) |
| Scene 5 : | Five Years Later (Front of Tabs) |
| Scene 6 : | Lydya’s Cookhouse (Half-stage with front cloth or MS Tabs) |
| Scene 7 : | Time for Change (Front of Tabs) |
| Scene 8 : | The Point of No Return (Full stage woodland scene) |
| ACT II | |
| Scene 1 : | The New Russia, 1924 (Full stage Russian exterior scene, or as Act I Scene 1) |
| Scene 2 : | A Plan Is Hatched (Front of Tabs) |
| Scene 3 : | Inside the Old Palace (DS gauze, front cloth or MS Tabs) |
| Scene 4 : | A Lot to Learn (Front of Tabs) |
| Scene 5 : | C’est Magnifique! (Full stage Parisian scene) |
| Scene 6 : | A Taste of Things to Come (Front of Tabs) |
| Scene 7 : | The Paris Opera House (Full stage or half-stage scene) |
| Scene 8 : | Just Rewards? (Front of Tabs) |
| Scene 9 : | Party Parisienne (As Act II Scene 5) |
| Scene 10 : | And Finally ... (Full stage Finale, as Act II Scene 5) |