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 The first big star of pantomime was Joseph Grimaldi, who starred at Drury Lane in London for 30 years until 1823, when he retired. It was said that he almost crippled himself as a result of his enthusiastic performances, injuring himself as he threw himself around the stage. Violence was common at pantomimes in the early years. Fights regularly broke out in the 18th and 19th centuries because people fought for the best seats or because they were fed up with the performances and heckled the actors.
The word, Abracadabra, originates from the 2nd Century and was supposed to protect people from illness. The colour green is considered unlucky in pantomime circles. Performers in the pantomimes, Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood, wear brown rather than green to protect themselves from ill-fortune. Another superstition is never to say the last line of the show until the first night. There are over 2,000 versions of Cinderella. This tale dates from the 9th Century. The most popular version of the story comes from the one in the 1820s by the Brothers Grimm. The oldest professional pantomime artist in 1996 was Jack Tripp, who was then aged 73. He has been playing in Mother goose in Plymouth. The youngest star is appearing in the same pantomime but in Plymouth. Roy Hudd has appeared in 28 pantomimes in a row. He will be appearing alongside the youngest panto star. 
All this goes to prove that there's more to pantos than meets the eye. Oh yes, there is! | |||||||||||
When in 1979 a group of friends got together to put on "The Common Pantomime" few would have thought that thirty years and eighty productions later the Magdalene Players would still be flourishing.
Prince Dexter of Bellevue (a popular local high street), was the hero of the piece in Sleeping Beauty, which helps to make the audience feel a part of the show in traditional pantomime style.
The large chorus of local children are also a traditional part of the Magdalene Players pantomime and insofar as possible to date, any child wishing to participate has been able to join in.