The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

20.6 - Seasoned Rader - Lagullande's Task: IT’S BEHIND YOU!

One of the great British traditions at this time of year is the Christmas Pantomime (aka Panto), a show aimed at all the family, put on at theatres and village halls up and down the land. Panto's history can be traced back to the Italian Commedia dell’Arte. Pantomime is very different to Mime (the Marcel Marceau style, where the performers do not speak).

Usually based on a well-known fairy-tale such as Aladdin, Cinderella or Jack and the Beanstalk, the Panto contains songs, topical jokes, double entendres, slapstick comedy, audience participation and several other essential elements.

This is a ONE book task. Choose one of the options below and read a book that fits the requirements. REQUIRED: State which Option you chose when you post.

OPTION 1: THE CAST - the cast always includes the Principal Girl (on a quest to find love or a lost treasure), the Principal Boy (played by a young woman, dressed in tights), the Pantomime Dame (played by a middle-aged man in drag), and the Villain (the audience are expected to boo and hiss whenever he appears on stage).

Read a book with a title/subtitle where the same consonant appears EXACTLY three times OR the title/subtitle contains all of B, G and D. "Y" is considered a consonant for purposes of this task. REQUIRED: If using the consonant X 3 option, specify the consonant used.
Examples include: The Bear and the Nightingale, Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard, If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things (these fit both criteria, although only one is required)

OPTION 2: SHOUT OUT - as well as booing and hissing the Villain, there are other chances for the audience to get involved. There is usually a song with the words provided on a screen or curtain, often with a competition between the two halves of the theatre to see who can sing it louder. There are always moments in the script where a character states “Oh yes, it is” and the audience chants “Oh no, it isn’t” (or vice versa). Finally, one of the performers will be looking for something, or someone; the audience are instructed to let the performers know if they see it by shouting out “It’s Behind You!”. Of course, the character doesn’t see it so the audience have to shout louder and louder.

Read a book with at least one of the words “Yes”, “No” or “Behind” in its title/subtitle. The words must stand alone, with no variations.

OPTION 3: THE ANIMAL - the Pantomime Horse (or often a Cow, if the production is Jack and the Beanstalk), played by two actors in a single costume. One is in the head and front legs, the other is the body and back legs. The animal usually performs a rather uncoordinated dance routine, with the comedy provided by the fact that the audience knows how difficult this is for the people inside the costume.

Read a book with a four-legged animal on the cover, but only the front half (head and front legs) or the back half (tail and back legs) is visible, not both.
Examples include:

REQUIRED: Include the cover in your post.

OH YES, IT IS!
(These work)

OPTION 1: 3 consonants
The Woman Who Wouldn't Die (W)
Murder on Alcatraz (R)
Ex Libris: Stories of Librarians, Libraries, and Lore (B)

OPTION 1: B, G & D
Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better

OPTION 3

OH NO, IT ISN'T!
(Sorry, these won't do)

OPTION 1: 3 consonants
Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better (7 T's)
but ok for Option 1: B, G & D (see above)

Reserved, just in case

This thread is now open!

The Woman Who Wouldn't Die does this work for consonant 3 x W

Just FYI i cannot find the link to your help thread on the posted task

also here it is 20.6 on posted task it says 20.5

Marie (UK) wrote: "The Woman Who Wouldn't Die does this work for consonant 3 x W"

Oh yes, it does!

Marie (UK) wrote: "The Woman Who Wouldn't Die does this work for consonant 3 x W

Just FYI i cannot find the link to your help thread on the posted task

also here it is 20.6 on posted task it says 20.5"

The link is there and the number is now correct - sometimes it takes more than 2 minutes to get a task all set up correctly.

Sandy wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "The Woman Who Wouldn't Die does this work for consonant 3 x W

Just FYI i cannot find the link to your help thread on the posted task

also here it is 20.6 on pos..."

thanks Sandy I just didn't know if it had been missed

Would work for the 3rd option?

Amanda wrote: "Would work for the 3rd option?"

It certainly does. And the book sounds amazing!

For option 3, are simple drawings of the animal okay? For example:

Trish wrote: "For option 3, are simple drawings of the animal okay? For example:
"

Oh yes, they are. Nice elephant!

:-)

For option 1, using r as the consonant:

Murder on Alcatraz

Just making sure I understand the task requirement.

Lavender wrote: "For option 1, using r as the consonant:

Murder on Alcatraz

Just making sure I understand the task requirement."

Oh yes, it works. You understand perfectly, Lavender.

Bookwrm526

For option 1, can it only be used three times in the title AND the subtitle, or can it only be used three times in just the title OR just the subtitle?

Basically, will this work for the letter T? Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better?

Thanks!

Jessica wrote: "Bookwrm526

For option 1, can it only be used three times in the title AND the subtitle, or can it only be used three times in just the title OR just the subtitle?

Basically, will this work for t..."

Oh no, it doesn't. It's 3 times in total (title and subtitle combined). Sorry, Jessica.

Lagullande wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Bookwrm526

For option 1, can it only be used three times in the title AND the subtitle, or can it only be used three times in just the title OR just the subtitle?

Smarter Than You Think: How Technology is Changing Our Minds for the Better

... Oh no, it doesn't. It's 3 times in total (title and subtitle combined). Sorry, Jessica.

... but I think it works for the other part of option 1, "the title/subtitle contains all of B, G and D"... yes?

Rosemary wrote: "Lagullande wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Bookwrm526

...but I think it works for the other part of option 1, "the title/subtitle contains all of B, G and D"... yes?

It certainly does.

Thanks, Rosemary - that's what happens if I check my messages before coffee in the morning!

Thanks, both of you!

Please verify (to make sure I didn't miscount):

For Option 1: Ex Libris: Stories of Librarians, Libraries, and Lore - B appears three times

Julia wrote: "Please verify (to make sure I didn't miscount):

For Option 1: Ex Libris: Stories of Librarians, Libraries, and Lore - B appears three times"

Hi Julia. Sorry for the slow reply. Yes, I count 3 B's too.

Does this work for option 1? The consonant "S" appears 3 times in the title: Mostly Harmless????

Cindie wrote: "Does this work for option 1? The consonant "S" appears 3 times in the title: Mostly Harmless????"

Oh yes, three s's!

Lagullande wrote: "Cindie wrote: "Does this work for option 1? The consonant "S" appears 3 times in the title: Mostly Harmless????"

Oh yes, three s's!"

thanks!