The History of Pantomime from Christmas Costume

Pantomime, better known as Panto is one of the greatest British Theatrical Traditions and has for many years been closely associated with the Christmas Season with something for everyone in this form of entertainment. This dramatic form is not to be confused with mime, but is a comical, musical play, with lots of cross-dressing, coarse humour, audience participation and well-loved characters ("Oh yes it is - Oh no it isn't - Oh Yes. it is!")

Much British theatre owes a certain amount to the Mystery Plays (Morality tales preformed in the middle ages) and to the Mummers (touring groups), whilst this is the case with Panto; many of the roots of modern Pantomime can be traced back to Commedia dell'arte. This dramatic form may predate records but can be traced back as far as 16th centaury Italy. Their stories were well known to many of the audience were improvised; this allowed the characters to bring in topics that were relevant to their local audience and were often highly satirical of the authorities.

Just like the Roman plays that inspired them, Commedia productions used a stock collection of characters and situations, as Panto does. The Commedia characters featured Punchinello (from where we get our Punch of Punch and Judy Fame), the clown Harlequin and the love interest Columbina. These folk were recognized by consistent costumes and masks and even props, Punchinello had a mask with a hooked nose, Harlequin had his many-coloured suit and a stick (known as a slap-stick) and Columbina could either be dressed in a matching clowns suit or in rags.

This form of drama developed in London where actors mimed and danced classical tales and fairytales prior to the main performance, these were particularly popular at Christmas time and developed a strong following. In the 18th and 19th century Joseph Grimaldi (1778 - 1837) was a true star in this field and some people credited with introducing the Pantomime dame along with other favourites.

So what do we expect from a modern Panto?

Cross-dressing

We couldn't have a Panto without a principal boy (played by a gorgeous young lady) and the Dame (always played by a man). The reversal of roles is tied in with the pre-Christian traditions of Saturnalia, these traditions became intertwined with Christmas and formed the basis for celebrations on Twelfth night, where servants would be entertained by and served by their masters.

The principal Boy became popular in the 19th century, when in normal life ladies were completely covered up, this reversal of roles allowed a shapely young woman to strut about the stage with her legs uncovered (albeit with thick tights).

We call this shapely female a Principal Boy and this may be a hang over from Shakespearian times, when young boys played all the female roles. Everyone knew that Juliet was a "Principal (Lead Role) Boy" (She had... well you finish that line off in true Panto Style).

The Dame is sometimes played by female impersonators like Danny La Rue, they brought glamour and exoticism to the production, many other Dames however played up the fact that they were men in dresses, Les Dawson could hardly be referred to as feminine even whilst playing the dame, but isn't that part of the joke?

An Animal Character

A panto cow or a horse, played by two people, often in a not too convincing costume. Part of their act is to perform a dance involving intricate movements for two people in understandably uncomfortable circumstances. Some Panto scripts make references to the two halves of the cow, or one end pulling away from the other. This self-awareness is a common theme throughout Pantomime, the illusion is tested by the references made to it, we all know it is not a real animal, or the Dame is not a woman, rather than this spoiling the audiences enjoyment it enhances it!

Double Entendre

The creaking structure of Panto can even extend to the way the double entendres are used. One old example is where the dame lasciviously comments on the Principal Boy's sexy appearance and then reports "I asked the Principal Boy for a Double Entendre... Then he gave me one!" This style of humour has its roots in music hall but modern audiences will associate it with the perennially popular Carry-On genre. Saucy, seaside postcard jokes are slipped in, whilst these go over the heads of innocent audience members they give the adults a cheap laugh.

Fairy and Baddie

Underlying most fairytales used in Pantomime is a struggle between good and bad, these traits are personified by the Fairy and the Baddie (often a wicked uncle or Stepmother or Witch). The good character usually enters from stage right with the baddie entering on the opposite side, this is a tradition directly from Comedia del Arte where the left represented Hell and the right was Heaven.

Calling Out and Sing Along

Unlike most theatrical performances the audience at a Panto does not sit in silence. When the baddie arrives on stage the audience boos and hisses. When the baddie is creeping up on the hero the children are encouraged to call out to let him know he is in danger. Naturally the action will also include an argument where the audience are called upon to respond to "Oh no it's not", with "Oh yes it is!".

At a given point one of the characters will sing a song with a simple chorus, often with a well know tune. Then the character will ask the audience to 'help' them sing it. After a lack-luster performance from the audience the actor will try the left side of the theater, then the right and so a singing competition ensues.

Slapstick

Slapstick comedy, popularized by music hall, has become an essential part of this style of performance. Intricate routines involving mess, such as cooking or painting and decorating, build up in speed and chaos making the actors on stage more and more messy. This can culminate with the actors supposedly throwing buckets of 'water' over the audience; these invariably contain confetti and sweets (although the health-and-safety spoilers are phasing sweets out!).

Wedding and Walk-downs

The show finishes with a wedding, including a song and dance routine and elaborate 'walk down' costumes, these are often the most spectacular costumes in the show. The wedding gives the audience the Happy-ever-after finish we all associate with Panto.

So the next time you take youngsters off to see a Pantomime watch them carefully as this may be where they find a love of theater that may last a lifetime (Oh yes it will!).

All costumes shown are available to hire from Angels Fancy Dress, Shaftesbury Avenue.