Recreate the slapstick thrill of the Pantomime at home this Christmas thanks to online expert advice

People not able to get to the theatre this year to enjoy a traditional pantomime can recreate the fun and knockabout skills of the art form thanks to an online demonstration by a veteran clown and his trainee son.

The short new videos will help all ages learn the sort of slapstick stunts used by performers for generations so they can put on their own fun shows at home.

The work has been commissioned by Teignmouth councillors from award-winning local company Promenade Promotions (Prom-Prom) Limited, run by Dr Tony Lidington (AKA Uncle Tacko!) - an expert in theatre history from the University of Exeter, joined as trainee clown by his son Spike, who is studying drama at Exeter College.

The three simple online workshops show people how to create three routines - tit-for-tat, the plank and the custard pie routine.

Dr Lidington said: “This is Christmas like no other and we hope our tutorials will inject a much-needed bit of fun into celebrations this year, as many of us mark the festive period differently. They will help people to put on their own show, in person or during video calls, using just a few tricks we have learned over decades of performing for the public.

“People can learn how to pretend to bash someone using simple props such as inflatable mallets, wooden spoons and frying pans. I don’t want to give too much away – people will have to watch the videos to learn more – but the trick is to make to use physical and vocal reactions with your own live sound effects to make it look as if you have been injured.”

The videos can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NL5AgJ9sNw.