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
Includes bibliographical references and index
Introduction / Jim Davis -- The golden age of pantomime. The mid-Victorian period : E.L. Blanchard and "the golden age of pantomime" / Jeffrey Richards -- "Arcadias of pantomime" : Ruskin, pantomime, and The Illustrated London news / Sharon Aronofsky Weltman -- Lewis Carroll, E.L. Blanchard and Frank W. Green / Richard Foulkes -- Harlequin encore : sixty years of the Britannia pantomime / Janice Norwood -- Pantomime, representation and ideology. Pantomime and the experienced young fellow / Jacky Bratton -- 'Only an undisciplined (nation) would have done it': Drury Lane pantomime in the late nineteenth century / Jim Davis -- Dan Leno: dame of Drury Lane / Caroline Radcliffe -- Provincial pantomime. Mapping the place of pantomime in a Victorian town / Jo Robinson -- 'Local and political hits': allusion and collusion in the local pantomime / Jill Sullivan -- 'Holding up the mirror' : readership and authorship in the era's pantomime reviews from the 1870s / Ann Featherstone -- The legacy of Victorian pantomime. Continuity and transformation in twentieth century pantomime / Millie Taylor -- Victorian pantomime on twentieth century film / David Mayer
