What would Christmas be like without panto? A world without princes and princesses, the wicked dukes and buxom dames?

This unique British tradition is synonymous with the yuletide season, entertaining children in theatres across the country.

But from where did this festive fixture originate from?

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. Although the rest of the world considers it a British peculiarity, panto partly came from the Italian commedia del'arte.

Italy's traditional entertainment was slowly superceded by panto.

The male dame and the female principal boy intially appeared but new elements, such as the mix of slapstick, popular songs and topical humour, were added.

The origins of Jack And The Beanstalk are possibly German, although, in British folklore there are tales of Jack the Giant Killer, a Cornishman who is said to have rid Wales of all giants.

But it has long been recognised that Cinderella attracts more audiences than any other panto. In 1804, it was performed at the same theatre where the Ugly Sisters were initially called Clorinda and Thisbe.

The character of Buttons emerges from page boys, who were nick-named Buttons because of the close-sewn rows of buttons on their uniforms. The Prince, usually called Prince Charming, was originally played by a woman, but is now played by a man.

Panto has never been PC, instead it brings us face-to-face with our greed, prejudice and dishonesty and ultimately forces us to have a good laugh.

Panto teaches us that virtue is rewarded, true love conquers evil and everyone lives happily ever after.

Oh yes it does!

December 19, 2001 17:44