Buttons (pantomime)
Buttons is a traditional character in Cinderella pantomimes, and is commonly portrayed in Cinderella pantomimes throughout the UK and Australia. He is typically a male servant of the household who helps Cinderella and loves her, and who is liked and trusted but not loved by her.[1] The character has sometimes been called Pedro.[2][3][4]
The character first appeared in 1860 at the Strand Theatre, London in a version of the story derived from the opera La Cenerentola by Rossini. Rossini includes a character Dandini as assistant to the Prince, which was also included, and a complementary character for Cinderella, called Buttoni was added for the pantomime at this time.[5][6] 'Buttons' was at that time a name for a young male servant or pageboy commonly having gilt buttons down the front of his jacket.[7]
While the character introduces a note of pathos in his unrequited love for Cinderella,[1][8] he is often portrayed in a comic tone.[1][6]
People who have played Buttons
[edit]- Arthur Askey 26 December 1947 Radio BBC Home Service[9]
- Graham Bickley 1991 Richmond Theatre Surrey[10]
- Jack Buchanan 1941 unspecified Midlands Theatre[11]
- Brian Conley 2009, 2015 and 2021[12]
- Ronnie Corbett[13]
- Billy Dainty 1976 Manchester Opera House[14]
- Jim Davidson 1988 Dominion Theatre London[15]
- Lonnie Donegan 1966 Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow[16]
- Bud Flanagan 1945 Adelphi Theatre[17]
- Tommy Handley 26 December 1929 BBC Radio[18]
- Jack Hulbert 27 December 1948 BBC TV[19]
- David Jason 1979 Newcastle Theatre Royal[20]
- Richard Hammond 2025
- Danny Kaye mid-1950s in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia[21]
- Paul Keating 2007 The Old Vic[22]
- Adele King 1984 Olympia Theatre, Dublin[23]
- Harry Lauder 1907 first stage appearance[6][24]
- Lee Mack 2021 in Not Going Out[25]
- Tom O'Connor 1976 Southport Theatre[14]
- Jimmy O'Dea 1923 Queen's Theatre, Dublin[26]
- Wilfred Pickles 1947 Bradford Alhambra[27]
- Ted Ray 1942 unspecified Midland Theatre[28]
- Frank Skinner 2000 TV film of stage show[29]
- Tommy Steele 1958 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version in London.[30]
- Jimmy Tarbuck 25 December 1969 BBC1 TV[31]
- Tommy Trinder 1948-9 London Palladium[32] later undated[33]
- Tim Vine 2018 New Wimbledon Theatre[34]
- Wee Georgie Wood 1936 Birmingham theatre[35]
- Bradley Walsh 2013 Orchard Theatre, Dartford[36]
- Richard Hammond 2025 (TBC) Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Brown, Richard (2002). ""When in doubt do gender": Constructing Masculinities in "Penelope," "they're all Buttons men"". Joyce Studies Annual. 13: 156–7. doi:10.1353/joy.2002.0005. S2CID 193158040.
- ^ "Theatricals". The Age. London. 17 November 1839.
- ^ "The Drama". Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle. London. 6 October 1844.
- ^ Marie, Louise (29 May 1891). "Tea Table Talk". The Dart. Birmingham.
- ^ Bovey, Paul. "A Very Slippery Tale" (PDF). panto.johngood.com. John Good. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- ^ a b c Kaplan, Charles (1984). "The Only Native British Art Form". The Antioch Review. 42 (3): 266–276. doi:10.2307/4611362. JSTOR 4611362.
- ^ "Buttons". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Knowles, Elizabeth (2005). Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198609810.
- ^ "Cinderella". Radio Times. 19 December 1947. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Paton, Maureen (24 December 1991). "Oh yes we do love the panto!". Daily Express. London.
- ^ "Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 26 December 1941. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "BRIAN CONLEY TO STAR AS BUTTONS IN MILTON KEYNES THEATRE PANTOMIME". Crossroads Pantomimes. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ Merriman, Rebecca (31 March 2016). "Ronnie Corbett dead age 85: TV comedian passes away surrounded by family". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ a b "It's Nero in drag!". Daily Mirror. London. 24 December 1976.
- ^ "Star Jim brushes up his Buttons". Daily Express. London. 23 December 1988.
- ^ "The Alhambra Theatre, Wellington Street, Glasgow". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Christmas Plays and pantomimes". The Times. London. 24 December 1945.
- ^ "Cinderella". Radio Times. No. 325. 20 December 1929. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Cinderella". Radio Times. 24 December 1948. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Theatre feature: Remembrance of Theatre Past (15–17): More on the Tynewear Theatre Company".
- ^ "Facts about Danny Kaye (P2) : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)".
- ^ Clapp, Susannah (16 December 2007). "Poof! Buttons gets his man at last". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- ^ Hosey, Seamus; Henderson, Lynda (1984). "The Turkey Trot". Theatre Ireland (8): 72–74. JSTOR 25488969.
- ^ "Sir Harry Lauder as Buttons in 'Cinderella'". www.npg.org.uk. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Not Going Out Panto". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ Hadfield, Paul; Henderson, Linda (1983). "Behind the Times..... 1953". Theatre Ireland (5): 96. JSTOR 25488895.
- ^ Crossley, Mick (11 December 2008). "Great dames who trod the boards". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 29 January 1942. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Cinderella (2000)". www.imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Leading a Merry Dance". The Guardian. 2 December 1995.
- ^ "Cinderella". Radio Times. 18 December 1969. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Cinderella". collections.vam.ac.uk. Victoria & Albert Museum. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Another Nod to the past- More Panto Flyers". ibygreenroom.wordpress.com. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
Tommy as Buttons (photo)
- ^ Everett, Lucinda. "Cinderella, New Wimbledon Theatre, review: 'thoroughly festive'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
- ^ "Music Hall". Radio Times. 3 April 1936. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Bradley Walsh :: Pantomime". www.bradleywalsh.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
