HUZZAH! IT’S PANTO TIME AGAIN (OH YES, IT IS)

Nothing says ‘traditional British seasonal cheer’ quite like attending a panto with the family, and here in the Cotswolds we have some of the finest exponents of this age-old art form and who are ready and willing to thigh-slap their way into our hearts!

It’s all Greek, really

It may be an established British tradition, but the origins of pantomime lie with the ancient Greeks and, later, the Romans. The word pantomime dates back to classical Greek theatre and derives from the Greek word pantomimos which is formed from ‘panto’ meaning all, and ‘mimos’ which translates as a dancer who acted all the roles or the story. Later, the Romans further developed their own version for a solo male dancer, telling stories based on myths or legends. In the Middle Ages, the British, who had their own folk play known as the Mummers Play - loosely based on the tale of St George and the Dragon- began to include many of the traditional elements of panto such as stage fights, coarse humour, gender role reversal and fantastic creatures.

Introducing comic capers

Taking their cue from Italian commedia dell’arte theatre, in the 17^th century English performers began to introduce comic characters such clowns or pierrots, and by Victorian times the classical stories that had formed the basis of the shows were supplanted by fairy tales, folklore and the use of nursery rhymes. As the Christmas traditions we now know developed, it became popular to take children to the pantomime, where audience participation was encouraged and more comical characters were brought in. Nowadays, with its slapstick routines, cross-dressing, mild innuendo and topical references, panto has become recognised as a skilled performance art, and in and around the Cotswolds we are fortunate to be surrounded by some fabulous theatres and troupes that are helping to ensure that the tradition still thrives. Check out the Cotswold XL What’s On directory to find your nearest performances – you’ll be guaranteed a great night. Oh yes you will!    

Oh yes you will!   

Visit the What's On? XL page for all of the latest events!

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