History of Pantomime
I wave my wand - let it not be in vain: Beneath my spell be children all again!
On 2nd March 1717, the London edition of the Daily Courant ran an ad announcing “a new dramatic entertainment of dancing, after the manner of ancient pantomimes”. This referred to The Maid's Tragedy, playing at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - and was the first time the word ‘pantomime’ had been used to describe a British stage show. Today, more than two centuries later, almost every UK theatre launches its Christmas season with a highly-anticipated ‘panto’.
63 BCE– - 14 CE
Pantomimus
Pantomime
(pæntɘ,maım - informally panto)
The word dates to the time of the Roman empire when a ‘pantomimus’ (‘imitator of everything’) brought together characters who specialised in masks, body movement and rhythmic gestures.
63 BCE– - 14 CE
5th Century...
Street Theatre
Because of persecution from the Christian church and the Romans' decadence, all forms of legitimate theatre vanished prior to the Dark Ages in the 5th century AD, and remained absent for a whole millennium.
Commedia
At the same time in Italy, another key component of pantomime - Commedia Dell'arte - was developing.
England - a new era
In England, a new era of bricks and mortar theatres began after the Puritans’ abolition of theatre was overturned by King Charles II in 1660.
Grimaldi Family
In the summer of 1780, while performing at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Grimaldi introduced the audience to his three year-old son, Joseph.
After Grimaldi
After the era of Grimaldi, Pantomime was unchanged for some time.
Panto became the Christmas show
Prince Albert’s establishment of the Christmas tree tradition in Britain added to the country’s new focus on the season.
Music Hall Stars
To fulfil the increasing demand for a recognisable face in the cast, producers began to hire the stars of Music Hall..
Pantomime Supremecy
In 1910, two new venues vied for pantomime.