Victorian Pantomime

This collection of critical essays is the first of its kind devoted solely to Victorian pantomime. Contributions by new and established nineteenth-century theatre scholars take us through the 'golden age' of British pantomime in the mid-Victorian period, the decline of the harlequinade and the arriv [...]
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This collection of critical essays is the first of its kind devoted solely to Victorian pantomime. Contributions by new and established nineteenth-century theatre scholars take us through the 'golden age' of British pantomime in the mid-Victorian period, the decline of the harlequinade and the arrival of music hall stars and lavish spectacle in the Drury Lane pantomimes at the end of the century, while also considering the popularity of pantomime in provincial cities and London's East End. Pantomime's ambivalent relationship with gender, race and class, its nostalgic appeal to childhood memories, and the continued existence of some Victorian pantomime routines on film are also explored. This book should appeal to academic and general readers alike.