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"Pantomimes are not what they were."
"Pantomime is no longer what it used to be. They have had their day."
True?
These are press cuttings from 1831 and 1846, and pantomime is still going strong!
Traditional pantomime, a colorful extravaganza of singing, dancing and slapstick comedy is one of the three theater forms truly indigenous to Britain, (in addition to Mummers' Plays and Punch and Judy Shows.)
There is always a "dame" - a man playing a larger than life woman.
The leading male role, or "principal boy" is usually played by a female.
Pantos thrive on audience partipation - booing the villain and cheering the hero. One of the comedic characters will always start a "Oh yes I am!" "Oh no you're not!" back and forth exchange with the audience.
There is always a happy ending, with good triumphing over evil.
HISTORY OF PANTOMIME . . .
Pantomimes have their roots in the Morality Plays performed on the Village Green during the Middle Ages. Even today, villains enter from stage left and heroes from stage right - the medieval stage placements of heaven and hell.
Morality Plays fused with the slapstick comedy of 16th century Italian Commedia dell'Arte, and then with the traditions of 19th century British Music Hall to produce 20th century pantomime.
The fact that pantos are always held in the winter is also connected to the ancient idea of the winter solstice as a time when strange things happen and the world goes topsy-turvy.
"Slapstick" takes its name from a hinged wooden sword generally carried by the character Harlequin which created a loud "slapping" noise when used - similar to the drum roll used today when the comic falls or trips.
The most famous of all pantomime clowns was Joseph Grimaldi who began performing in 1800. To this day, clowns are called "Joeys" in his memory. He was the first real star of pantomime. Grimaldi pioneered the pantomime Dame.
 Tom Conway "Cinderella" 1908 |  Dan Leno "Humpty Dumpty" 1903 |
Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins are amongst the leading Ugly Sisters in the country, having appeared together in these roles for over 20 years. Ugly Sisters roles differ from the Dame in that they have to tread the thin tightrope between being hugely comic characters and yet still remain the villains of the piece.
"Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins are two reasons why pantomime still flourishes in Britain - with their reach-for-the-skies Marge Simpson wigs, eyelashes like lawn rakes, outrageous ball gowns, and a stage patter perfected over 16 years of playing Cinderella's Ugly Sisters . . . The jokes don't change either. When they arrive at the fancy dress ball dressed as a hat and a high-heeled shoe, Buttons asks what they have come as. "Hat!" says one sister. "Shoe!" snaps the other. "Bless you!" says Buttons!"
The Times Television Revue 12/16/97
Modern "traditional" panto continues to adapt and to be the first live theater experience for most children.
Most of this information about the magic of pantomime comes from an awesome website It's Behind You
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