‘It’s behind you!’: A Guide to Christmas Pantomime in the UK

It’s officially festive season!

Oh yes, it is! And with the chilly nights comes a cherished Christmas tradition lighting up theatres across the UK: Pantomime – or panto, for short.

Pantomime is a difficult genre to define, but you know it when you see it. Think farcical mishaps, larger-than-life costumes, and lots of cheering and booing. Pantomimes return year after year, bringing families together for a uniquely chaotic Christmas experience.

But what exactly is pantomime, and what made these absurd tales a mainstay of UK Christmastime?

What is British Pantomime?

For many people in the UK, their first memory of live theatre likely begins with the words, it’s behind you!

Unlike other forms of theatre from the West End, Pantomime (or panto) is renowned for its emphasis on audience participation. This includes loud cheering and booing, and the iconic exchange shouted by the audience to warn clueless characters of impending danger:

It's behind you!

Oh no it isn’t!

Oh yes, it is!

Popular with both children and adults, pantomimes are usually re-imagined or comedic versions of classic folk tales and stories, from Cinderella to Jack and the Giant Beanstalk. These are simple tales of good and evil with the promise of a nice, happy ending – perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. There’s usually a ‘baddie’ or a villain, a ‘goodie’, or the hero, and a host of magical characters who help along the way (or sometimes, interfere...).

The Dame is the most iconic panto characters of all. While there are also brilliant dames played by female actors, the Dame is traditionally played by a man dressed up as a woman in an exaggerated style. The Dame is also responsible for many of the play’s comedic elements. There is also usually a principal boy and girl character who fall in love, except in gender-bending tradition, both are often portrayed by female actors.

Pantomime is, most of all, a comedy show, full to the brim with slapstick humour suitable for all ages with some innuendos thrown in for the adults. Gender-swapping,

outrageous outfits, crazy scenarios and exaggerated characters make for a lot of comedic moments, and rarely is a pantomime ever fully serious.

From Italy to England

Pantomime is believed to have originated from a type of popular, outdoor theatre in 16th-century Italy called ‘Commedia dell ‘Arte’, which roughly translates to ‘comedy of the artists’. Like modern pantomime, Commedia dell ‘Arte was stuffed full of flamboyant stock characters, music, and risqué jokes that appealed to a wide audience. Actors even wore masks so that they could joke about anything and everything without fear of being recognised.

Since shows took place outdoors – in markets and on the streets – companies travelled from place to place to make a living, making it easy for the art form to spread and influence theatre companies around Europe. It’s very likely that Commedia performers visited England, which inspired dance, acrobat, and mime artist, John Rich, to create a new kind of entertainment: a combination of Ovid’s Metamorphosis and the adventures of two Commedia stock characters, Harlequin and Columbine. And so, pantomime was born.

A Christmas Tradition

But how did this newfangled genre turn into a festive tradition? John Rich’s performances drew in as much controversy as it did crowds. Many theatre puritans dismissed pantomime as ‘illegitimate’ theatre, heralding the end of Shakespeare and more ‘serious’ genres. David Garrick, an actor and theatre manager, agreed with Panto’s critics, but he was also aware of the genre’s popular appeal and moneymaking potential. In the end, Garrick settled on a compromise: pantomime would live on, but only during the Christmas season, to be enjoyed as a one-off celebration of festive frivolity.

Other Panto icons developed over time. It wasn’t until later, for example, that the Dame was introduced. Gradually, traditional clowns were swapped out for the Dame, made popular by Dan Leno, a celebrated dame actor in the late 19th century. Cross-dressing in theatre began as a necessity, since it was considered improper for women to be onstage. After the ban was lifted and culture changed, though, cross-dressing has remained a staple of pantomime for its opportunities for comedy and subversion.

Where to Watch Panto this Christmas

1) Dick Whittington and his Cat at Hackney Empire

Based on the traditional English folk tale, Dick Whittington and His Cat tells the classic rags-to-riches story of a poor boy who moves to London, rises to become a successful merchant, and is elected Lord Mayor of London—all with the help of his clever feline companion.

2) A Christmas Carol (ish) at Soho Place

There’s nothing more Christmassy than a timeless Dickensian tale - well, almost. A Christmas Carol (ish) is a twist on the classic story of redemption, swapping out Uncle Scrooge for Santa Claus. When Santa decides to cancel Christmas, he’s visited by three ghosts who must convince him to reverse his decision.

3) Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall

Potted Panto whisks audiences through seven classic panto tales, from Cinderella to Aladdin – in just 80 minutes. With two actors, countless role-swaps, and plenty of laughs, Potted Panto is a fast-paced celebration of beloved Pantomime stories.

4) Robin Hood at the London Palladium

The London Palladium transforms the story of Robin Hood, the legendary folk hero known for robbing the rich to give to the poor, into a vibrant extravaganza of dazzling costumes, spectacle, and lots of humour.

5) Beauty and the Beast at the Richmond Theatre

In the mood for romance? Richmond Theatre is putting on a Panto-fied version of the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast.

6) Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Another British folk classic: Jack and the Beanstalk tells the story of a young boy who is one day sent to sell his family’s cow at the market. When he returns with ‘magic beans’ instead of money, however, his mother is enraged and throws the magic beans out the window. The next day, Jack wakes to find a giant beanstalk growing from where the seeds fell. Looking for food, he climbs up towards the clouds to find a world of magic, fairies, and of course, giants.

7) Online

Want to enjoy pantomime remotely? Take a look on YouTube, where local Pantomimes are often streamed for free. Alternatively, Panto Online produces critically acclaimed pantos especially for online viewing, from just £7.

Watching pantomime is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in British festive traditions while picking up some more colloquial words and phrases.

Still, bridging the gap between textbook learning and authentic English content can be tricky. That’s why, at Twin, we combine interactive classroom teaching with real world English practice and cultural immersion. Find out more about our London English Centre here.