Buttons (pantomime)

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An actor playing Buttons in a 2015 pantomime in Herne Bay, England Luke Fruin as Buttons.jpg
An actor playing Buttons in a 2015 pantomime in Herne Bay, England

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

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References

  1. 1 2 3 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.
  2. ↑ "Theatricals". The Age. London. 17 November 1839.
  3. ↑ "The Drama". Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle. London. 6 October 1844.
  4. ↑ Marie, Louise (29 May 1891). "Tea Table Talk". The Dart. Birmingham.
  5. ↑ Bovey, Paul. "A Very Slippery Tale" (PDF). panto.johngood.com. John Good. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Kaplan, Charles (1984). "The Only Native British Art Form". The Antioch Review. 42 (3): 266–276. doi:10.2307/4611362. JSTOR   4611362.
  7. ↑ "Buttons" . Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press.(Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  8. ↑ Knowles, Elizabeth (2005). Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780198609810.
  9. ↑ "Cinderella". Radio Times. 19 December 1947. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  10. ↑ Paton, Maureen (24 December 1991). "Oh yes we do love the panto!". Daily Express. London.
  11. ↑ "Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 26 December 1941. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  12. ↑ "BRIAN CONLEY TO STAR AS BUTTONS IN MILTON KEYNES THEATRE PANTOMIME". Crossroads Pantomimes. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  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.
  14. 1 2 "It's Nero in drag!". Daily Mirror. London. 24 December 1976.
  15. ↑ "Star Jim brushes up his Buttons". Daily Express. London. 23 December 1988.
  16. ↑ "The Alhambra Theatre, Wellington Street, Glasgow". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  17. ↑ "Christmas Plays and pantomimes". The Times. London. 24 December 1945.
  18. ↑ "Cinderella". Radio Times. No. 325. 20 December 1929. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  19. ↑ "Cinderella". Radio Times. 24 December 1948. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  20. ↑ "Theatre feature: Remembrance of Theatre Past (15–17): More on the Tynewear Theatre Company".
  21. ↑ "Facts about Danny Kaye (P2) : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)".
  22. ↑ Clapp, Susannah (16 December 2007). "Poof! Buttons gets his man at last". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  23. ↑ Hosey, Seamus; Henderson, Lynda (1984). "The Turkey Trot". Theatre Ireland (8): 72–74. JSTOR   25488969.
  24. ↑ "Sir Harry Lauder as Buttons in 'Cinderella'". www.npg.org.uk. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  25. ↑ Guide, British Comedy. "Not Going Out Panto". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  26. ↑ Hadfield, Paul; Henderson, Linda (1983). "Behind the Times..... 1953". Theatre Ireland (5): 96. JSTOR   25488895.
  27. ↑ Crossley, Mick (11 December 2008). "Great dames who trod the boards". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  28. ↑ "Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 29 January 1942. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  29. ↑ "Cinderella (2000)". www.imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  30. ↑ "Leading a Merry Dance". The Guardian. 2 December 1995.
  31. ↑ "Cinderella". Radio Times. 18 December 1969. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  32. ↑ "Cinderella". collections.vam.ac.uk. Victoria & Albert Museum. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  33. ↑ "Another Nod to the past- More Panto Flyers". ibygreenroom.wordpress.com. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2018. Tommy as Buttons (photo)
  34. ↑ Everett, Lucinda. "Cinderella, New Wimbledon Theatre, review: 'thoroughly festive'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  35. ↑ "Music Hall". Radio Times. 3 April 1936. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  36. ↑ "Bradley Walsh :: Pantomime". www.bradleywalsh.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
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