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…