The 大象传媒 Learning English team have been performing a special pantomime for you. It's the story of Cinderella and here is part two.
The story so far... we've met poor Cinders and the ugly sisters, who are so cruel to her. They've all been invited to Prince Stephen's very posh ball - but Cinderella's sisters wouldn't let her go. As if by magic, her Fairy Godmother has turned up and now her dream to dance with Prince Stephen may actually come true. Let's join her now to see if it does and listen out for some idioms too.
Listen
Pantomime: Cinderella: Part Two
Listen out to see if you can identify these idioms that the characters use:
Idioms
- Hold your horses
You are doing something too fast and somebody else would like you to slow down.
- To cost an arm and a leg
Something that is very expensive.
- Make no bones about it
To say clearly what you think or feel.
- To cut the mustard
If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard.
- You are the apple of my eye
Someone cherished above others.
- Practice makes perfect
If you do something many times you will learn to do it very well.
- I must fly
To leave in a hurry.
- To be against the clock
When you are in a great hurry to get something done before a particular time.
Christmas Time is a time for Pantomime
Would you pay to see men dressed as women?! That's what you get at a traditional British pantomime. The leading male character is traditionally played by a woman and the hero's mother, called the pantomime dame, is played by a man in drag (in women's clothes)! The dame has a big character and gets most of the laughs. And to add some magic there is always a fairy, played by a woman.
Pantomime is a mix of music, dance, slapstick and buffoonery. There are colourful and outrageous costumes. It is a fun, family feast of entertainment that is traditionally watched at Christmas time.
