'Rare' home movie footage of 1930s pantomimes to feature in festive exhibition

From pantomime’s stories, stars and humour, to its sets, costumes and special place in the hearts of audiences, the exhibition “captures the heart and history” of the tradition.

Designed to be an immersive experience, the exhibition - a relaunch and update of an original display put together in 2007 called Pantomime in Scotland: Your other national theatre - combines illustrated panels and life-size cut-out figures of Scottish pantomime stars, together with interactive elements.

Curated by academics linked to the University of Glasgow, the Get You in Panto Town exhibition is open until Christmas Eve.

From its Victorian origins right up to the present day, the exhibition features pictures, photographs, programmes and playbills from a wide range of sources, including the Scottish Theatre Archive in Special Collections at the University of Glasgow Library, and the collections of performers, producers and audience members themselves.

Rare home movie footage from the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive, showing pantomimes from the 1930s to the 1950s and audio recordings of interviews and music are also included.

The displays delve into the influence of music hall and variety, honour the great Scottish comedians of the past and revisit famous productions such as The Tintock Cup of 1949, which is credited with saving the financial fortunes of the company of Glasgow’s Citizens’ Theatre after proving to be so popular, its run was extended by four months until April.

The exhibition also features Elaine C Smith’s role as the first woman to headline as a dame and Johnny McKnight’s contemporary reimagining of pantomime stories at the Tron, as well as mid-century panto legend Stanley Baxter.

The project has been led by Professor Anselm Heinrich with Dr Deven Parker and Dr Paul Maloney, all of the University of Glasgow.

Dr Maloney, who was one of the planners of the original exhibition, and helped oversee the relaunch, said: “This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Glasgow’s favourite kind of theatre. Scotland has a really rich and vibrant pantomime tradition that remains distinctively Scottish. Glasgow in particular has always loved pantomime, and that has carried forward to the present day.

“This exhibition draws together all the different elements of our research – from telling the story of pantomime’s development to audio extracts of interviews with audience members and stars like Stanley Baxter recalling their experiences of going to, and performing in, pantomime. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate, and learn more about, this much-loved part of our popular theatre-going heritage.”

Baillie Christie, city convener for culture, sport and international Relations, said: “Pantomime holds a special place in the hearts of Glaswegians, and this is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to celebrate and learn more about its unique history.

“This is our chance to celebrate everything we know and love about pantomime: the performers, their patter, sing-a-longs, dancing, costumes and the much-loved dames. It’s a perfect addition to our festive celebrations and highlights the important contribution pantomime has made and continues to make to our city’s cultural life.”