Int'l students take to the stage

Frenzied chants of "It's behind you!," rotund men dressed as gaudy widows and a healthy helping of double entendre: If you're from certain countries in the world, especially Britain, you'll know what all of this means. If not, the concept of pantomime might seem strangely foreign to you. Not for much longer.

StageStars, a group for young aspiring thespians established in 2009 by performing arts teacher James Bridekirk, will introduce the colorful and chaotic stage tradition of pantomime or "panto" to the Czech Republic with their December production of Cinderella. The show will be the first panto of its size in Prague (with a cast of 32), and Bridekirk is hoping it will take the expat community by storm.

"I believe pantomime has remained so popular in the UK because of the family bonding that it offers," Bridekirk told The Prague Post. "At a crazy time in the build-up to Christmas, families can stop what they are doing for an evening and head out to a show that adults, teens and children can all enjoy," he says.

Pantomime first surfaced in England in the 17th century as a lowbrow form of opera but did not assume its current form - a jumble of theater, song, slapstick and audience participation - for at least another 150 years. More often than not, pantomimes are takes on classic fairy tales and literature including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Peter Pan.   

Cinderella itself is perhaps the most famous of all fairy tales, and one which Bridekirk cited as his favorite. The StageStars founder, who once studied alongside a young Victoria Beckham, is using a cast of teenagers and an ensemble of younger children aged 5 to 9, and for many of the latter group, this will be the first time they have performed in such a large-scale production.

Auditions were specifically held for children from all of Prague's international schools, with Bridekirk wanting his panto to be "a project that unites and brings together families from all the different schools and communities."

"Honestly, the kids are fired up about the project," he says. "They are so excited, and it's a huge energy boost in rehearsals. We have seen all of them grow so much during the whole process from auditions to rehearsals.

"I can't wait to see their faces once they perform for a full 350-seat theater. It will be magical."

An array of adult acting talent will team up with the younger actors. Professional Czech actress Vendi Manfredi takes on the lead role of "Cinders," while the UK's Pete Kimer - whose CV includes an appearance in famous Irish stage show Riverdance - plays her beau, Prince Charming.

Bridekirk himself stars as Buttons, the unrequited yet unerringly upbeat servant who falls in love with the leading lady, and is often an audience favorite.

Since its establishment two years ago, StageStars has expanded to teach just under 200 students each week. Eight teachers visit 90 percent of Prague's international schools, running theater and film acting classes at after school sessions.

A Saturday morning theater school also runs at the International School of Prague.

Through StageStars' internal casting agency, many children have appeared in commercials, film movie trailers and major projects such as recent U.S. mini-series Missing and upcoming Tom Cruise vehicle Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

StageStars' newest class is "Triple Threat," a high-level performance course for children over the age of 12 that focuses on singing, dancing and acting, the three qualities needed to land a role in the likes of High School Musical.

Bridekirk says StageStars is all about teaching kids the art of performance, helping them grow in confidence, meet kids from other schools and, of course, having lots of fun in the process. For Cinderella, they will also be treated like real professionals; everyone will be paid for their performance time.

"For me, as a young child performing in theater, I always got paid, and we are happy to offer this to our talented younger cast, although they all said they would do it just for fun," Bridekirk says.

"Then two seconds later, they were telling me what they will spend the money on. It was mainly chocolates."

Will Noble can be reached at
wnoble@praguepost.com