Originally published 8 December 2015. This article is retained from the tCI archive. Law, policy or practice may have changed since publication.
Oh No it isn’t!
Well, just for once, let’s admit that many public consultations have about them the sense of a mild farce – if not a classic English pantomime.
Like the annual winter theatricals, we have plenty of advance notice for the 12-week season during which the pantomime plays. True, Government Principles now allow anything from 2 -12 weeks and insist that the pantomime run has to be ‘proportionate’ (unless covered by the Compact – but we assume this refers to the hand-mirror used in The Sleeping Beauty).
The traditional pantomime plot features a hero of uncertain gender who triumphs over adversity to reach a desired outcome – often marriage! Sometimes the public is asked to wish for whatever it likes – a method usually involving an innocent youngster rubbing a second-hand oil lamp (Aladdin) to find an improbable Genie, and in others there is a need to overcome serious socio-political obstacles (eg the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella). Public engagement often means finding a suitable pantomime villain – especially for Budget consultations – typically the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government; Baron Hardup is the usual stage-name.
The number of options to be offered is often a fertile area of debate with views ranging from the precedents set in Goldilocks and the Three Bears to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It seems no longer necessary to go to the extremes formerly advocated by Ali Baba and the Forty (alleged) Thieves. Its loss of popularity may well stem from the Equality Act, which has made actors wary of playing parts such as ‘Little John’ in Robin Hood, ‘Captain Hook’ in Peter Pan or of course, ‘The Witch’ in Hansel and Gretel. On the other hand, transgender actors can choose from a range of Pantomime Dames, and are occasionally called upon to do perform a ritual exotic dance.
Consultation organisers must ensure that no animals are maltreated in the engagement process. They are classic hard-to-reach groups and are usually seldom-heard. We cannot, therefore, any longer endorse both sides of the pantomime horse and need to observe various Codes of Practice if encountering the Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. As always, equality must be observed between the Beauty and the Beast; mistakes made in Puss in Boots would probably be cat…astrophic (Ha Ha)
Consultation tools and techniques have the potential to influence many pantomimes. Had they undertaken proper stakeholder mapping, the Babes in the Wood might not have got lost. Had he convened a proper Focus Group, Jack would probably not have traded his mother’s cow for magic beans, and might not have climbed up that Beanstalk. Better feedback might have spared Goldilocks much grief. And had we used better online voting, Tinker Bell would have been saved much much earlier (Peter Pan).
If fairies, magic dust, audience participation and improbable co-incidences do their stuff, there is excellent scope for happy endings. It is even possible to become Lord Mayor of London! (Dick Whittington).
As with consultations, the best pantomimes rely upon a foolproof script and absolutely brilliant dialogue. Even if the argument is sometimes well-known and the same old characters appear, it is still important that everyone’s voice is heard. The best consultations are also like pantomimes in that they carry a moral message. Tell the truth (Pinocchio); Follow a clear path (Wizard of Oz) and listen to what’s been said (Mother Goose).
And never let your consultations be a fly-by-night exercise. (Peter Pan yet again)
Happy Christmas to all who observe it.
And Seasons Greetings to everyone else.
TRIGGER POINTS
If you can think of any mainstream Pantomimes not mentioned in this Topic …
Tick all that apply
- You are really sad
- You have nothing better to do
- You have small children who like going to the theatre
- Your sense of humour is easily satisfied
This is the 287th Tuesday Topic; a full list of subjects covered is available for Institute members and is a valuable resource covering so many aspects of consultation and engagement.