The iconic elements of British pantomime -extravagant costumes, slapstick humour , celebrity appearances, and interactive audience participation - stem largely from innovations made during the Victorian era, transforming panto into a beloved British tradition.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The iconic elements of British pantomime, extravagant costumes, slapstick humour, celebrity
00:06appearances and interactive audience participation stem largely from innovations made during
00:11the Victorian era, transforming panto into a beloved British tradition.
00:16Pantomime's origins trace back to the 16th century Italian Commedia dell'Arte, a lively
00:20mix of music, dance and acrobatics, starring stock characters like Harlequin.
00:25By the 18th century, Harlequin and his comic companions had become fixtures on London stages.
00:30The 19th century saw significant changes as the Theatres Act of 1843 lifted restrictions
00:36on spoken dialogue, allowing for witty wordplay, social satire and audience participation.
00:41As pantomime evolved, it embraced current events and popular tales such as Dick Whittington
00:46and Robinson Crusoe.
00:47By the late 1800s, elaborate pantomimes had become a Christmas season tradition, particularly
00:52on Boxing Day, establishing panto as a quintessential part of British festivities.
00:57But what about you? Will you be going to a pantomime this year? And what aspects do
01:01you find most or least enjoyable and appealing about the experience?