Ah, pantomime! The cherished seasonal tradition that fills the air with laughter, slapstick humour, dazzling costumes, breathtaking sets, and plenty of audience interaction. Its ability to adapt and evolve with the times is a testament to its enduring appeal and continued popularity in Britain today. Crewe Lyceum Theatre has been delivering unforgettable panto magic to audiences for decades. So, join me as we take a journey through the history of the Lyceum’s legendary pantomimes!
Prelude – origins
Act 1 – the stage
The Early Years…
On December 26th, 1881, the original Lyceum Theatre came into existence. A disused Roman Catholic chapel was converted into a theatre, the balcony used by the Catholic choir had transformed into a circle and a stage was built in the eastern end. In 1882 the theatre staged its first Pantomime, Aladdin.
Act 2 – the players
Famous names
In 1906, before the fire, future silent movie star Stan Laurel appeared in Sleeping Beauty alongside Wee Georgie Wood, the world’s smallest comedian. Over the years since its restoration, the Lyceum’s attracted many more celebrities to grace its stage during pantomime season, including names like Gareth Gates, Cannon & Ball, June Brown, Adam Woodyatt, Bobby Davro, and Chico. Two unforgettable panto appearances were made by Peggy Mount, best known for her role in the film Oliver! – once in 1993 and again in 1995.
Encore - the mishaps!
Over the years, countless memorable moments have unfolded, and some of the most entertaining have been the unexpected ones! One particular incident stands out vividly. A short video had been filmed in the local Market Centre, featuring the pantomime Dame enjoying her morning coffee. This clip was designed to play on stage, with another character appearing to have a live conversation with her. The scene was supposed to end with the Dame dramatically zooming across the stage on a child’s scooter, crashing into the wings, and making her grand entrance into the show.
Footlight
With extra thanks to our local Lyceum Historian, David Owen, for helping me gather some of these stories.
Find out more
- Crewe Lyceum Theatre
- Crewe Lyceum Theatre case study – discover what the theatre do for Heritage Open Days
- History of Pantomime — Imagine Theatre
- Playbills of the Past – Leeds Library wrote this post about their incredible collection of early playbills