Sleeping Beauty at Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone for Christmas 2016: A history of panto

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Pantomime at Christmas time is a timeless tradition as festive as mince pies and mistletoe.

The slap stick comedy, dance, and shouts of, “he’s behind yoooooou” have entertained Kent families for generations.

But both the stories and performances have changed since their first appearance some 350 years ago, reinventing itself as festive family fun with a few magic touches of fairy tales, music and celebrity.

The first pantomimes were of Italian origin and arrived in England during the seventeenth century. They were highly acrobatic and, as the name suggests, featured mime artists.

Maidstone’s very own renowned essayist and theatre critic, William Hazlitt, reviewed pantomime performance in London and Italy throughout the Georgian era.

Today, in the theatre that bears his name, actors are busy preparing for the all-time, classic, Sleeping Beauty.

The county town’s main theatre has Wicked Queen and local girl Bethany Black eager to get her teeth into playing the renowned baddie.

The EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Louisa Lytton has promised a high-octane show with her cheeky take on Princess Aurora.

Even this ‘happily ever after’ story was popularised during the Victorian era. The classic tale of magic, spinning wheels, fairies and handsome princes reworked by writers reading a French translation which was in turn borrowed from oral folklore from the Medieval era.

The Hazlitt, at the heart of its community, is embracing the panto spirit with scores of talented youngsters from the town dancing in the production.

All the more reason to make sure you visit this festive season.

The panto will run from Friday, December 2 to Monday, January 2.

Tickets cost from £18 with group offers and concessions available.

To book tickets please visit the Hazlitt website