As the festive season gets underway we take a look at a most unique British art form, The Pantomime (oh no we don’t!)
The pantomime began its golden age in the nineteenth century, but its origins can be traced back to the Italian tradition known as ‘Commedia dell’ Arte’, a type of travelling street theatre. The Italian Commedia was brought to the London stage by John Weaver (1702) at Drury Lane Theatre and developed by John Rich at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. During the nineteenth century, pantomime was further influenced by the sauciness of Victorian burlesque and the energy of music hall. Today pantomimes are still much loved, and stars often come from television soap operas and reality shows.
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Our collections contain many records of local pantomimes, including posters and photographs. Our first is a poster for a 1975 production of Babes in the Wood at the Bournemouth Playhouse, starring Dora Bryan, Norman Vaughan and Billy Burden. The Bournemouth Playhouse (now known by its original name The Palace Court Theatre), is currently being refurbishment by Arts University Bournemouth to bring the 400 seater playhouse back into use for students and the wider creative community.
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Babes in the Wood was also the pantomime of choice for The Ritz in Weymouth in 1957, as photographed by Graham Herbert. ‘Babes in The Wood’ is based on a sixteenth Century English ballad called ‘The Children In The Wood: or, the Norfolk Gentleman’s Last Will and Testament’.

First appearing on stage in 1793, it was adapted in 1827 as ‘Harlequin and Robin Cooke; or the Babes in the Wood’. The mischievous Harlequin character comes from the Italian ‘Commedia dell’ Arte’ and he often appears in early pantomimes. The original Babes in the Woods story had a sad ending with the children dying. In 1867 a new version of the story saw Robin Hood introduced as the hero who rescues the abandoned orphans, with the villain, the wicked Uncle, being found out. A happy ending is part of today’s pantomime experience!
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You can see a glimpse of several pantomimes in Yeovil on film from the Windrose Rural Media Trust. Here, the clips are part of a longer story about theatre performance and entertainment in Yeovil over the last century. Pantomime director David Lee recalls how the cast always enjoyed performing in Yeovil, and how important it was to involve local young people.
What was your favourite panto growing up? Do you recall seeing any in Dorset, and who was the ‘star’? Share your memories in the comments below, and if you are performing in a local pantomime this year, break a leg!
My great great grandmother Gertrude Beaumont (1881 – 1935) appeared as Aintshe-nice in a production of Aladdin performed by Mr Ernest Carpenter’s company that toured the south west in the winter of 1898/98. They played Bournemouth (theatre unknown) in February 1899. She received a mention in the review in “The Era” and in “The Stage”, the only professional review I have found for her though she is remembered in the family as “the actress.”