It is, and always has been, the desire of M&M to ensure our productions offer much more than just a visually stunning and entertaining theatrical experience. With that in mind our Artistic Director Margaret Garry B Ed., a primary school teacher for many years, has ensured that all company productions can aid classroom teachers in meeting the requirements of the National Curriculum by outlining how each show links to the programmes of study and /or strands in relevant subjects. (In most cases teachers’ notes and worksheets are available to show bookers.)

The National Curriculum Guidelines for 5 to 11 year olds.

In England this is split into Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
In Scotland this is split into levels A to D.

Why do we promote children’s pantomimes ?

We feel that pantomime provides an excellent stimulus for encouraging children to read traditional fairy tales or to devise some stories of their own, and what better stimulus than to watch a story come to life in a live theatrical performance……..

The Cox Report 1989 recognises that, “Children construct the world through story”, and on further exploring this point, acknowledges the fun and the challenge of developing children’s “natural enthusiasms for story structures and role play.” It goes on to stress the teacher’s role in developing “interest in the act of reading” and how reading has an important role to play in improving abilities in speaking, listening, and writing.

Our pantomime productions provide teachers with a wonderfully visual tool to help in encouraging children to read for enjoyment, particularly classic fairy tales, and to write their own stories with a view to perhaps acting these out with friends and classmates.

Pantomimes and Curricular Links

Our pantomimes can aid classroom teaching in the following subjects:

English-
Programmes of study

1. Speaking and Listening :-
KS1- or levels A to B. Gives pupils the opportunity to respond to the performance constructively including sound and word patterns used by the characters as well as riddles and rhymes.
KS2- or levels C to D. Gives pupils the opportunity to evaluate how the characters and the narrative contribute to the overall effectiveness of the performance including language variation and dialect forms.

2. Literature:-
Helps to develop in KS1 and 2, or in levels A to D , an understanding of the differences between narrator and character and an appreciation of traditional stories and fairy tales.
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3. Drama:-
KS2 or levels C to D. Allows older pupils the opportunity to evaluate how the technical aspects of the show, including sound, lighting and special effects, contribute to the overall effectiveness of the performance as well as costume and set. At this level they can also discuss the use of multiple role play and the versatility of the actors playing very diverse roles.

PSHE & Citizenship: ( Personal, Social and Health Education )
Programmes of Study