The History of Pantomime
Written by Pam Preedy.
Pantomime is part of our Christmas tradition, As the summer months wane, we begin to wonder what the next panto will be. Which personalities will grace our stage with their presence? But pantomime isn’t actually British. Its origins were founded in a 16th-century style of street performance in Italy.
They told their stories of Pantalone, the old man, Pierrot the clown and Colombine, the maid servant, in love with the naughty servent, Arlecchion (Harlequin). The audience knew what to expect; the principal boy and girl would overcome everything, ensuring that love is conquered.
Although Queen Elizabeth was entertained by an Italian Commedia in 1602, it didn’t catch on until it spread from Italy to France. French companies brought ballet-pantomimes to London really as afterthoughts to increase takings. They had simple plots and were performed in slapstick style. Incidentally, slapstick comes from Harlequin, who brought his favourite weapon; a paddle made from two pieces of wood. This was slapped on a piece of scenery which changed as if by magic all due to knocking down a series of hinged flaps.
John Rich^ as Harlequin could create chase scenes showing locations that people could often recognise – including streets and areas of London.
During the reign of Charles I (1625-1649) the Licensing laws remained strict in Britain, but in 1843, the Parliaments Theatres Act allowed three London theatres to perform spoken performances. To get round the law, theatre owners had to present music alongside the spoken word. It was a start and encouraged the growth of what became pantomime.
The Merry Monarch, Charles II, loved theatre and as soon as he came to the throne (1660) all restrictions were lifted including the ban on women performing on stage. Even after women were free to act, the practice of cross-dressing in pantomime continued into characters such as the Dame (male) and the principal boy (female). It titivated the Victorian gentlemen as they had a rare opportunity to look as a girl’s ankels!
The art of pantomime has developed through the ages. A little book, Mother Goose’s Fairy Tales, published in 1697 was to have a profound effect on pantomime. Here could be found stories that we recognise today: Puss in Boots, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast and Littel Red Riding Hood.
There have been memorable performers such as Joseph Grimaldi who developed and refined the character of the Clown which took over from Harlequin and still lives on in such characters as Buttons. He also starred in Dick Whittington as Dame Cicely Suet, the Cook in 1814.
Pantomimes are full of superstitions; the last lines of a pantomime were never spoken until opening night; evil characters always enter from stage left (right to the audience), good characters enter from stage right (left to the audience). Messy or ‘slosh’ scenes see one of more characters covered in sticky substance or even a custard pie.
Audience participation is important. We expect to book the villain whenever he enters, argue with the Dame and warn the Principal Boy (usually a girl), “He’s behind you” when the villain is on stage.
In 1956 Norman Wisdom played principal boy in Aladdin at the Palladium. the trend continued for fifteen years until Cilla Black was cast in the rile and reverted back to the traditional role in the London Palladium. Today, the principal boy can be placed by either a male or female.
Pantomimes are flamboyant and fun and, today, usually feature star TV personalities. They attract families and children. For instance, the 2024-25 pantomime at Bromley’s Churchill Theatre is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Dr. Ranj (best known for ‘Get Well Soon’ on Cbeebies) and singer Gareth Gates (Runner up on Pop Idol, 2002).
Originally published in Life in Bromley magazine (Issue 34, December 2024)
^ John Rich (1692–1761) was a prominent 18th-century theatre director and manager in London who recognized the potential of Commedia dell’Arte characters. As the actor-manager of Lincoln’s Inn Theatre, he became known as the father of pantomime and starred in the performances he termed pantomimes. Rich is credited with reinventing the character of Harlequin.