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
- 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]
- 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]
References
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