Pantomime in Scotland exhibition
Published: 10 November 2009
An interactive exhibition celebrating pantomime in Scotland, which draws on research by the University, will be touring theatres this winter.
An interactive exhibition celebrating pantomime in Scotland will be touring theatres this winter.
Drawing on work from a research project, the exhibition covers all aspects of the past and present of Scottish pantomime – its stories, its stars, its humour, its magnificent sets and costumes and, above all, its special place in the hearts of audiences across Scotland.
In telling the story of Scottish pantomime, from its Victorian origins right up to the present day, the exhibition features pictures, photographs and playbills from a wide range of sources, including Glasgow University Library Scottish Theatre Archive and the collections of performers, producers and audience members themselves.
The exhibition includes rarely seen archive film footage from the National Library of Scotland, Scottish Screen Archive of pantomimes in theatres in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Stars featured include Scottish pantomime favourites Jack Anthony, Dave Willis, George West, Harry Gordon and Will Fyffe. A further selection of this footage will be showcased at screening events at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) and the Macrobert Arts Centre.
Visitors can also listen to sound recordings featuring the memories of audience members and performers of the past and present, not least Stanley Baxter remembering his part in the legendary pantomime, The Tintock Cup (1949).
As part of the exhibition, visitors will be invited to contribute their own memories and experiences of seeing and making professional and amateur pantomime in Scotland. This is a unique opportunity to capture memories of a golden age of Scottish pantomime and to document the many community pantomimes that take place across the whole of Scotland.
Pantomime legend, Stanley Baxter said: "Lewis Casson was absolutely right – pantomime is the national theatre of Scotland. This exhibition celebrating Scottish pantomime is to be warmly welcomed. Pantomime was always very close to my heart and I loved it from a very early age. I saw Tommy Lorne when I was almost too young to remember it – almost, but not quite! It was a joy to be involved in pantomime for so much of my career and I wish this exhibition all possible success."
One of the team behind the exhibition, Adrienne Scullion, James Arnott Chair of Drama of the University of Glasgow, said: "This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s favourite kind of theatre. From recording the memories of pantomime audiences and performers, we know that pantomime has a special place in the lives of Scottish audiences and that it has always had an important role in Scotland’s theatre industry. This exhibition is a great way for us to acknowledge the significance of pantomime in Scotland, and to recognise and value its contribution to Scotland’s cultural life."
The team are also running a programme of workshops for schools and families, and a series of talks and film screenings for adults. Full information about the events can be found at www.glasgow.ac.uk/pantomime.
Tour dates
Motherwell Theatre
Monday 23 November – Wednesday 2 December 2009
(closed 29 November)
01698 403120 • www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk
King’s Theatre, Glasgow
Saturday 5 December – Saturday 19 December 2009
0844 871 7648 • www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow
Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling
Monday 21 December – Thursday 14 January 2010
(closed 25 December and 1 January)
01786 466 666 • www.macrobert.org
Further information:
Martin Shannon, Senior Media Relations Officer
University of Glasgow Tel: 0141 330 8593
First published: 10 November 2009
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