With ancient roots the pantomime dame is still a firm favourite

Even in this age of political correctness, the pantomime dame endures as a firm favourite. Jo Kerrigan traces the history of a pleasantly outrageous character who has roots in ancient times

WE MIGHT not realise it, but pantomime as a theatrical form is very old indeed, stretching right back to the ancient Greek shadow plays. From there it progressed through Commedia dell’Arte, Punch and Judy, 18th century Harlequinades, and the spectacular productions of the Victorian era, right down to the star-studded musical shows of today.

Along the way it has borrowed from every format, changed with the centuries, reinvented itself constantly, yet always retained that atmosphere of magic, of fantasy, of sheer entertainment.