Pantomime Script Sample

Zinder Ella - A Modern Pantomime - Script Sample

So you are considering a modern Cinderella story? Below you will find some samples from our full script.

Contact Victuallers@westonontrent.org.uk and we can send it to you. Obviously we charge for this (once) and you are then free to make copies.

In additional we make a small charge per performance. Requires a large cast (several characters require two actors of different ages/ sizes as they "grow" during a twelve year gap)

You can now buy this on-line by adding it to your basket, paying ten pounds, and then the script will be mailed to you within seven days.

Song ideas are included as notes in blue (in some cases we have original music too)

Its your panto - but we suggest some staging ideas

Characters

STORY and Script Sample

Some notes and pictures from the first production

List of Songs and Music

" Mel's theme is Prince Charming (by Adam and the Ants.)

Zinder's theme should be the same as the song she sings

Step sisters theme is the same as the song she sings _ Girls just want to have fun? And of course Pearl and Dean Theme music

Mrs Weston's theme? These shoes are made for walking? Would make good background when relevant.

Buttons theme … Wherever I lay my hat?

NOTE MUSIC NOTES ARE WRITTEN IN THE SCRIPT LIKE THIS

Scene Ideas

The set is very simple, it’s a back wall with pictures. The pictures are left to right and by scene. In the first production we also extended the stage to the left for the judges and to the right for performers.

Scene 1 - Zinders	B&W version of picture below	Wedding photo of Brian and 1^st Mrs W	Arty B&W abstract of room
Scene 2 - Zinders	Laughing Cavalier or other famous picture		Picture of Scene 1(friends picture)
Scene 3 - Step Sisters Zinders	Laughing Cavalier or other famous picture		Picture of scene 1(friends picture)
Scene 4 - Kitchens	EGM's daughter		Be happy. WORK HARDER
Scene 5 - The Ball		Tom Cooper	EGM's daughter
Scene 6 - Zinders with Chintz	Laughing Cavalier		Picture of Pearl and Dean (not Zinder)
Scene 7 - Pop Perform	EGM's daughter	Pop Performers	White screen for List of Acts
Scene 8 - Epilogue	Laughing Cavalier	Wedding photo of Mel and Zinder	Picture of Scene 1 (friends picture)

Characters and Descriptions (most of them…)

Characters	Relationships	Character	Comment
Zinder Ella Weston	Brian's daughter	Teenage Girl. Feels insecure because she was left by her real mum. If she was a star then her mum might return.
Baby Zinder	Brian's daughter	5-7 years old, Shirley Temple. Cute and Innocent.
Brian Weston	Zinder's Dad	Done a good job as single dad. Thinks he needs to provide a mother for his teenage daughter. Believes in the "Family model"
Mrs Weston	Brian's 2^nd Wife, Zinder's step mum. Pearl & Deans Mum	Character like Margaret Thatcher. Opinionated. Selfish. Looking after HER daughters. She's from Aston (wants to move up a notch (to Weston)
Pearl	Mrs Weston's daughter	Wants to marry for money (like her mum). Self-seeking. Ambitious. Always speaks "to camera" as if she is caught in an advert.
Dean	Mrs Weston's daughter	Wants to marry for fame. Self-seeking. Ambitious. Was born a boy … but nobody has told her. Has trouble with stubble and walking like a girl. Always siys lines from adverts
Buttons	Zinder's admirer	True Blue. Perfect. But maybe lacks personal ambition. Loves Zinder.secretly
Zips	Weston Youth Club, Zinder's mate
Bow	Zinder's mate Weston Youth Club, Zinder's mate	Loves Buttons secretly
Velcro	Weston Youth Club, Zinder's mate	Trys to guess Zinders riddle. Compulsive
Hook	Weston Youth Club, Zinder's mate
Toggle	Weston Youth Club, Zinder's mate
Mel Bourne-Hall.	Pop Group Front man	Gods gift really. Robbie Williams without the bad behaviour.
Dan D. Knee	Mel's mate	Character like Jonathan Ross. (note we don't need an impersonation. Fandabbydoobli …. One day he will be Danny As-Been
Dancers		Only the finest dancers will do.
Julio. Pronounced HHHKHUULIO	Personal Trainer/Special Advisor to Mrs Weston.	Amoral. Like Uriah Heep or Jo Moore. Machiavellian. Always putting foot in it. Play like Manuel from Fawlty Towers
Lizard		Kitchen vermin
White Mice (6?)		Kitchen vermin
Eerie Ghost Mother, Charlotte Bonny	Fairy/Ghost	Haunts the big house, had a daughter who looked like Zinder who she lost. She is alive for one night only.
Bimbo		Brainless
Barbie		Not as bright as Bimbo
Sonya Weston	Zinder's real mum	Real mum.
Judge One		Vicious, Cruel
Judge Two	Constructive
Judge Three		"Quite nice really" (inane)
Floor Manager		Runs around with CLAP and APPLAUSE signs during Pop Performers

Story

This is not a classic panto. If you are doing a first panto then we recommend Aladdin or Robin. This is a story set against the new romantic era in the 1980's. The story covers one generation of Zinders family, from her mother going missing to her first child. There are jokes, songs and dances and unusually for Victuallers some subtle sexual innuendo and rhyming couplets. The story peaks at the "Pop Performers concert" which Zinder wins and gets her dreamboat. However in between all the other early scenes we see the other contenders. Great if you have or can get a lot of additional talent.

(Scene One) Zinder Ella and her father Brian lived with Zinder's mother on the green.

As Brian explains, Zinders looks for her mother and misses her (she's gone away)

Zindar dreams of singing beautifully one day like her "departed" mother. She practices performing with her mates Smelly Melly, Buttons, Hook, Velcro and Zips. Mel leaves to emigrate to Canada with his family.

In scene two we move forward about 12 years (to the new romantics period in the 1980s) and we are still in Zinder's house but everyone is 12 years older. Brian returns from a holiday with a new wife (Mrs W) and her daughters Pearl and Dean. Mrs W is a social climber who admires Margaret Thatcher.

In the village is a "Pop Performers concert". Zinder wants to go, but Pearl and Dean trick her so that she is left to work in the kitchens.

In the kitchens, the Eerie Ghost Mother arrives and with Buttons they arrange for local animals and a pumpkin coloured 2CV to transform Zinder to that she can go to the masked ball.

At the Ball, Mel Bourne-Hall. (aka Smelly Melly with his manager Dan D Nee) is just finishing his first song. Zinder and Mel dance together and are in love. At midnight Mel has to leave (he has to sing a song (thats his job)), but Zinder misunderstands. She gets annoyed and storms out after throwing her shoe at Mel.

After the ball Dan and Mel tour the village to find the girl who threw the shoe. They can't find her anywhere. In the meantime, Buttons has given a video of Zinder singing to the Pop Performers Judges, she wins the contest, but needs a shoe to collect her prize. She takes the missing shoe from Mel, its fits!!!! Mel has found his first (and only) love. Zinders mum is discovered!

The final scene is a re run of scene one. Except Brian and Zinder are replaced by Mel and Ellie (their daughter). When they go look for her mother…. Zinder is there.

Scene One Flash Back - 12 years to Zinder's House

Behind on the wall are pictures. These run throughout the pantomime.

Zinder doesn’t know what's happened. Dad explains that mum has "gone away", and that she wanted to be a singer.

Block One			Blocking divides the script into bits that can be easily practiced. There is a list of the blocks in the index
The Voice in complete darkness	Quiet version of the overture The spotlight helps by showing the judges and the mini stage when prompted by the words		Welcome Everybody to Zinder Ella - The True Story. This story is set years ago in the time when the prime minister was a quiet, reserved, research chemist called Margaret and the music of the New Romantic bands included Duran Duran, Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark, New Order and of course that mega star of the eighties the now Sir Melvin …… Bourne-Hall. Those of you who are more senior members of this community may remember the 1980's when the famous Pop Performers concert took place at Weston Hall. Tonight we will recreate the acts that featured in this pivotal village event. Those of you who have grown old (if not grown up) will remember the people who performed and the judges that were present.
			As with previous pantomimes the story is essentially simple, but the authors have tried to not let this prevent them from creating an obscure, impenetrable and obtuse plot. So….this story starts, 12 years before the 1980's in a small cottage in Your County In a small village. On the Green Beside the pinfold.
Scene Set	Music is non committal going on to "heart strings"		Brian is reading newspaper … Headline is "Black Panther seen in Weston" and/or "Kings Mill Lane take a fence" and/or "Derby to get football team" and/or Pop Mum pops off with Papa Sax (ie LOCAL SCANDALS IN YOUR AREA)
Baby Zinder			Daddy?
Brian			Yes Dear
Baby Zinder	pause		Daddy, I love our little house on the green, beside the pinfold.
Brian			Good
Baby Z	Pause, turning of paper?		Daddy, do you love our little house on the green, beside the pinfold
Brian			Yes, of course I do dear
Baby Z	pause		Daddy, does Mummy love our little house on the green, beside the pinfold
Brian			Yes, I think she does dear
Baby Z			Oh
Brian	After long pause		Why Dear?
Baby Z			I just wondered
Brian			Wondered what dear?
Baby Zinder			I wondered….. I wondered, If Mummy likes our little house on the Green beside the pinfold ….
Brian			Yes
Baby Z			Then ….
Brian			Go on dear
Baby Zinder	Heart string music. Near tears		Well……why doesn’t she come home anymore?
Pause	Looks sad and wistful at each other till audience almost embarrassed, then
Brian			Oh Zinder, Mummy loves you (long Pause) But she has gone away.
Baby Z			I'm going to miss her
Brian			I'm going to miss her too …. But we still have each other
	Another sad moment, interrupted by a knock on the door
Brian	Goes off stage to get the door
Baby Z	Cries quietly to herself
Brian	Re enters		Zinder, dry your eyes, here are some of your friends to see you.
Block Two			Blocking divides the script into bits that can be easily practiced. There is a list of the blocks in the index. This is all the "baby" actors
Brian	enter Melvin, Buttons, Zips, Velcro, Toggle, Bow and Hook Brian speaks then exits one side,		Hello Button (still in a hole), Hello Bow(tstill tied up), Hello Zips (pullong yourself together), Hello Velcro (still sticking around?), Hello Toggle, (got your woggle), Aye Aye heres Hook….. Hello Smel…. I mean Mel-vin Got to go … I've got to do the washing up
Baby Buttons			What's the matter Zinder… you look so sad
Baby Z			Daddy has just told me that Mummy has "gone away"
Bow			She hasn't gone on holiday without you, has she?
Zinder	As if she knows she dead		I don't know ……but Daddy didn't say she was coming back
Zips			My Daddy went away and didn't come back ….. Gran told me that he had gone to live with the Angels.
All	With sympathy and worldly wise		Ohhhhh
Buttons	Signs audience to join in… then repeat last line		Ahhhhhhhhh
Velcro			Nevermind Zinder, we will always be here and be your friends.
Toggle			Zinder we should make her happy innit
Hook			Oh yes …. Lets do "a show" and (Smel) Melvin can see it before he goes.
Baby Z	Melvin is elsewhere on stage		Where is he going!?
Mel	Turns to face		Mummy and Daddy say we are moving. So! Lets see this show now
All			Oh great, good idea Lets do it, etc.
Mel	Mel leads Zinder to settee where they sit together and watch night fever style dance (preferably as in the video of the film). While dance is taking place, Brian enters and takes photo. Then leaves At end of dance Mel and Zinder clap enthusiastically Children sit down exhausted on three piece suit.
Knock at door	Enter Brian	(Sss) Melvin, your mum says you have to go. The removal van is here
Mel		Thank you Mr Weston, tell her I am just saying goodbye
Mel and zinder	Stand together and sing at front of stage	Song/Recitation, haunting, "The world beyond the pinfold"
	New Romantic style. Big Beat. Operatic lead. Voices in background, lots of synth	The world beyond the Pinfold Is a strange and scary place Its full of unknown people I won't recognise a face The buildings will be different Not the ones that I know well And there will be no one there To tell me that I smell The world beyond the pinfold Its not a world I know But finding out about it Will make my knowledge grow I hope that I will like it But I'll try and make it plain That I will come back to "Your Village" and see you again The world beyond the pinfold Do I want to leave my friends? It’s a very sad experience To say a friendship ends And so I will not say goodbye To Buttons, Zinder, Bow I'll simply say that "I'll see you then" And wave before I go I'll see you then (waves)

Step Sisters' Scene (Scene Omitted)

Zinders is left (Aaah) …. Scene omitted

The Masked Ball …..Scene Omitted

After the Ball at Zinder's House… sample of scene end

Scene	After the Ball. Zinders house looks similar to how it was before but "chintzed" lots of Sanderson wallcoverings, everything matches … even the teapot. Lots of photo's of Pearl and Dean, but none of Zinder or her mother		QUITE A BIT DELETED. SEE VICTUALLERS FOR FULL SCRIPT.
DanD	Enter, Dan is holding large sheaf of paper. Mel has a clue. Female friends quiver	Hello Pop Pickers Can I introduce to you The fandabbydosey Mr. Mel Bourne-Hall.
		All look surprised, (bar Mrs W who is peeved). There is a round of applause (including audience) And then all male friends mirror (bit subtly) Mel's every position or stance.
Mel		Good Morning. I hope you all feel good after the time we had last night.
Pearl (and Dean)	Shove each to the back as they rush forward to Mel	Oh I always have a good time at a Mel Bourne-Hall.Concert You're ….
Dean		made to make your mouth water
DanD		Oh hello girls. Sorry I couldn't stay longer with you last night. You look so much prettier without those masks, but I recognise you anyway. (to audience) Too much of me and they'd be spoilt. (girls don't see this)
Mrs Weston	Mel Looks along the line of Girls as each smiles.	I suppose you have come to ask one of my daughters for a date
Pearl		Tidies hersel up, stuffs more tissues into bra
Dean	To pearl Plucks her chin and adjusts herself	Triumph has the bra for the way you are
Mel		No, my quest today is more serious. I am not looking for a date, but I am looking for the girl with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life.
All gilrs	Tidy up and preen themselves
DanD		This morning I have had the hard, laborious task , going all around the village taking the vital statistics of each young woman , between the age of 16 and 61, (nudge from Mel) …… of each young woman, and what have we found? They are all absolutely perfect, apart from the size of their feet..
Buttons		What's so important about that?
Mel	Reveals shoe	I intend to spend the rest of my life with the woman whose elegant foot fits this exquisite container
Buttons		I choose a girl for personality, (offhandedly )like Bow (moment of realisation)
Bow	Smiles at buttons
DanD		Personality is one attribute………… Mel somehow managed to mislay, If I can use that term, the chic he pulled last night
Mel	Video of couple running towards each other … and missing	No Dan, it was a magic moment, and evening of ecstasy, Last night I discovered the girl of my dreams. Now she haunts my every wakeful second. During the darkness of night I dreamed of her hidden face until morning, the beauty that outshone the glitter of the mask that concealed her perfect features. I thought she was but a dream, yet I still hold this awesome slipper. It's as though I'm in a fairy tale
Buttons		This is turning into a pantomime
EGM	Comes to side of stage	Well that’s a first!!!! Uses her wand
DanD		Whomsoever this slipper fits Shall be the most bodacious of chicks
Mel		She will my constant companion be And remain by my side eternally
Pearl	Grabs shoe, sticks on foot, tooo small	Remember me I'll be your bride Pass me the shoe, I'll slip my foot inside
Buttons		Don't believe here Mel, I think Pearl Flannels This shoe won't fit without……
Dean	Berlei She tries on shoe, but its too big	……….Fingertip panels
DanD	Takes the shoe and tries it on Bow not right Buttons looks concerned	Don't be silly you crazy mare Lets try it on that girl over there
Bow	relived	I'm sorry Mel, I'm not the one Although marrying you could have been fun
DanD		Well that’s it we've done all on our list But where's the girl whose hand I kissed?
Mrs W		Zinder? Oh she is not here at all That doesn't matter she was not at the ball
DanD		lets stop this rhymimg its getting stupid and I'm now tired of playing cupid
Mel	Exit Dan and Mel Dramatically	Lets take our leave, I'm getting forlorn Until I find This phantom I cannot perform
Buttons		Oh, what a man, Oh, what a rhymer But being a celeb, he'd only two-time her.
Zinder	enters	Hello mamma, I've done your correspondence
Dean	Desperate to find a rhyme	She's got the Colgate ring of confidence
Zinder		Why do you say that? it sounds so funny
Dean		I liked it so much I bought the company
Zinder		Have I got the right scene, is that the line?
EGM		Lets give up trying to make this a pantomime.

Pop Performers - The Big Concert (Omitted)

Epilogue (Omitted)

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Last Updated July 2004