Oh Yes You Can!

Part 1

A/N: Right-Christmas is round the corner and when I was sitting with my Godson and friends at the Pantomime, I had the very dangerous idea of wondering what would happen if our crew tackled this very traditional form of Christmas entertainment. Here is the results...enjoy!

....

ONE:

It had seemed like quite an innocuous suggestion as the very bored Senior English Class at Berk High had dozed after lunch.

"This year, you should present something for your parents as a Christmas or Snoggletog entertainment," Mr Mulch had suggested. The English teacher was a short, round and very hairy man who had a wild beard and looked as if he had been hit in the face with a badger but who was always good-humoured and positive. "You're doing a pantomime."

"A pants-what?" Simon 'Snotlout' Jorgensen mumbled disinterestedly. He had been told in no uncertain terms that he had to pass English if he wanted to get his Diploma and as he had failed in the previous three years, this was his last chance.

"A pantomime," Hiccup Haddock piped up. The smartest student in the class was sitting at the front, his tousled auburn hair framing a sharp-jawed face with pale lightly-freckled skin and dominated by bright green eyes. He was skinny and had been teased for years for being a runt-but over the summer he had shot up four inches which had silenced the taunts of 'runt', though 'beanpole' and 'fishbone' were still frequently used. "Pantomime or panto is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is still performed throughout the United Kingdom, generally during the Christmas and New Year season. It includes songs, gags, slapstick comedy and dancing, employs gender-crossing actors and combines topical humour with a story loosely based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or folk tale."

"An excellent summary, Hiccup," Mr Mulch said cheerfully.

"What? We're going to be putting on some sort of childish play?" Astrid Hofferson asked sharply. The girl was focussed and determined, an outstanding soccer player and smart-though she had little time for activities that took time away from her sport and her studies. She was also very pretty with blonde hair braided over her left shoulder and brilliant sky-blue eyes.

"Yes-it will do you all good to work as a team in creating and presenting this pantomime at the Great Hall on Christmas Eve," Mr Mulch told them with a slightly forced smile. Ha had expected a lot more enthusiasm by now.

"Christmas Eve? But we'll all be with our families by then!" Snotlout protested.

"Some of us may want to go away..." Heather Bazerk added. She was a slim, pretty raven-haired girl with green eyes. She lived with her brother and they were due to visit distant relatives on Berserk Island..

"I have already written to your parents and they are aware that the Pantomime constitutes the Final for this class so your attendance is mandatory," the teacher said through gritted teeth. "So you will participate or fail. Understand?"

There was a monotonous grumble of 'Yes, Mr Mulch' from every student present. The teacher flashed his smile again and lifted a sheath of papers. "Good. because I have downloaded this script, modified it and already cast you."

"What?" Snotlout gaped, his blue eyes widening. The stocky young man had black hair and blue eyes and reckoned he was a hit with the ladies. "Don't we audition?"

"Everyone will have a part as I have cast it!" Mulch said firmly and handed out the scripts. "Okay-the pantomime we are doing is Cinderella. Is everyone familiar with the fairy tale?"

Everyone put their hands up except Astrid and Hiccup and the teacher rolled his eyes. Astrid opened her mouth to protest.

"Read the script!" he said, finally losing his patience. "Yes, Raquel?"