Each Christmas acting stars dress up in silly costumes to play the hero in adaptations of popular fairytales in theatres all over Britain. ANGELINE ALBERT takes a look at the history of pantomime.

Pantomime is regarded as a British entertainment that takes place in theatres across the United Kingdom during the Christmas season and has done its best to entertain children for generations.

However, pantomime partly originated from the Italian commedia del'arte from which several of the stock characters of pantomime have evolved.

And many of the plots were based on folk tales collected and retold by the French writer Charles Perrault.

His book Mother Goose's Fairy Tales, published in 1697, included classic stories like Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Red Riding Hood.

Harlequinades were played as after pieces to a long evening's entertainment of farces and tragedies but as pantomime used these stories more and more the Harlequin's role soon disappeared.

The male pantomime dame and the female principal boy have traditionally appeared in pantomime.

New elements were added to the mix of slapstick and double entendre with popular songs, topical humour and satire finding their way into the script. Audience participation and guest appearances by stars of the day is now a feature of every modern pantomime.

The origins of Jack and the Beanstalk are possibly German, where many folk tales of slaying giants are to be found.

In British folklore there are tales of Jack the Giant Killer, a Cornishman who is said to have rid Wales of all giants.

The first Jack And The Beanstalk play was produced by David Garrick in 1773 at Drury Lane.

But it is Cinderella which

attracts more audiences than any other pantomime.

In 1804, Cinderella was performed at Drury Lane. The Ugly Sisters were initially called Clorinda and Thisbe but their names have constantly changed to accommodate the fashions of day.

The character of Buttons emerges from page boys, who were nicknamed Buttons because of the close-sewn rows of buttons on their uniforms.

The Prince, usually called Prince Charming and his valet, Dandini were originally played by women but in keeping with popular times these roles are now played by men.

Pantomime has never been politically correct, instead choosing to bring us face to face with our greed, prejudice, cowardice and dishonesty and ultimately forcing us all to have a good laugh.

Truth be told panto is good for the kids with virtue being rewarded, true love conquering evil and everyone living happily ever after.

December 21, 2001 16:00