THE DEEP ROOTS OF PANTO

It’s as Christmassy as sleigh bells but just where does the peculiarly British tradition of pantomime come from?

- Tricia Thompson

The lights dim, the music starts, the villain enters stage left to boos, the fairy from stage right to cheers, and so the pantomime begins. For many of us, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the panto, but where did this peculiarly British form of entertainment come from?

You can argue that pantomime began its journey in ancient Greece and Rome. Based on myths and legends, a solo male performer danced all the roles, relying on masks, poses and gestures to portray the characters (Greek pantomimus – ‘imitator of all’). Over time more performers were added and audiences cheered and jeered as good triumphed over evil.

In medieval Britain, bands of so-called ‘mummers’ travelled the country at Christmas festival time, enthralling audiences with plays on themes such as St George and the dragon. With masked actors, chases and comedy they were a highlight in the dark winter months.

Pantomime as we know it today has its roots in the Italian commedia dell’arte. Commedia was a street theatre, popular from the 16th to the 18th century, using music, dance, acrobatics, clowning, chases and tricks. It was fast paced, anarchic and often very risqué. The characters were an overprotective father, Pantalone, who refused to allow the hero Harlequin to seek his daughter Columbine’s affections, and Pulchinello the Clown, also in love with Columbine. The characters and storylines can be seen today in opera, the theatre and even Punch and Judy.