The Magic Bookmark
Audiences are invited to join “everyone’s favourite pantomime dame,” (Metro) and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Mama G on a brand new panto adventure for the whole family!
The evil Book Worm has decided that reading gives people too much knowledge, and makes all the books from Mama G’s library disappear. Before the world can turn to chaos, Mama G has to save the day by finding three books that will help make the world a better place. Of course, she can’t do it alone and that’s when she discovers the myste- rious and wonderful Magic Bookmark…
Families are sure to love this storytelling show full of panto fun, interaction, song and dance, puppetry, and some of the finest picture books currently on the market!
The show is written in Mama G’s inimitable uplifting and interactive style, with original songs by award winning musical comedian Katie Pritchard. The Magic Bookmark is voiced by West End star Julie Yammanee (Bonnie and Clyde, Lazarus and Avenue Q.)
As a tool to promote the power of reading The Magic Bookmark will also include three mini story times from Mama G herself. The chosen books will explore Mama G’s ethos of being who you want and loving who you are and will be drawn from a list including You Need to Chill by Juno Dawson, The Frog’s Kiss by James Mayhew & Toto, and The Bear who had Nothing to Wear by Jeanne Willis.
As with of all of Petite Pantos’ productions, The Magic Bookmark will be full of terrible jokes, lots of joining in and a smattering of slapstick; but it will also be exploring an im- portant social issue.
Throughout 2022 and into 2023 there has been a steady rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment, espe- cially focused on trans rights and the art of drag. In the USA this included calls to ‘protect the children’ by removing inclusive literature from schools and public libraries.
Books optioned for removal have featured: same-sex parents, global majority groups, transgen- der characters and discussion of pro-nouns. The removal of books was supported by acts such as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Florida.
History has shown us that books can give power to the oppressed, which makes banning them a form of subjugation. We believe that everyone has the right to see themselves represented in the stories they are told and, perhaps more importantly, that everyone deserves to understand that there is more than one way of being a human.
Petite Pantos and Mama G, hope that the The Magic Bookmark will be a clarion call to people of all ages. To stand up for themselves. To stand up for each other. And to understand why both those stands can change the world.
Pantomime is one of the few theatrical genres that is designed to communicate to people of all ages. This makes it perfect to open up conversations on difficult topics in fun and engaging ways. The Magic Bookmark will allow you to entertain, educate and support your community all in one go!
Running time: 60 minutes, no interval. Tickets £8, family of four £28
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/salfordartstheatre/the-magic-bookmark-performed-by-mama- g-part-of-the-greater-manchester-fringe/e-xrdzqb
The Magic Bookmark will also be touring to:
Liverpool Theatre Festival (July 24th)
Alma Tavern & Theatre (August 16th – 18th) Oldham Library (October 24th)
The Alexander Centre, Faversham (October 28th)
