The earliest pantomime performances in Leeds seem to have been parts of a bigger performance. The local newspaper, Leeds Intelligencer, mentions an extra “pantomime entertainment” called the Harlequin Salamander in an article from 1767 – which could have been the first pantomime style performance in Leeds. It was performed in the Rose and Crown Yard.
One of the earliest full pantomime performances in Leeds was 'Bluebeard' at the Old Theatre Royal in 1792. The story is no longer a popular one in British theatres, but was based on a French folk tale.
Leeds Grand Theatre
The first pantomime at Leeds Grand Theatre was also ‘Bluebeard’ in 1878. Performances continued regularly, being one of several theatres in the city to host pantomimes. The Leeds Museums and Galleries collection holds an 1894 copy of a programme for 'Aladdin' a pantomime story that is still popular today.
Pantomimes even continued during the First World War. Harriet Elliott, who had started her pantomime career as early as 1905 at Leeds Grand Theatre, was employed as a ballet dancer for the 1914-15 season. It appears to have been a production of 'Robinson Crusoe', where both the main roles were played by female actors – presumably as many men were away fighting. The performances would have provided entertainment at a difficult time and when fun was in short supply. The one stand out name on the cast list is George Ali who was a well known ‘animal impersonator’, and who later went on to star in the original 1924 film version of Peter Pan playing Nana the dog and the crocodile.
The Theatre Royal and Panto
While many theatres in Leeds have staged regular pantomimes, one of the busiest was the Theatre Royal, which used to be on Lands Lane in Leeds city centre. Their earlier pantomimes began in the late nineteenth century, continuing to be a regular feature until around 1956.
From 1909, the 'King of Pantomime', Francis Laidler secured the lease on the Theatre Royal in Leeds. He is often most associated with Bradford where he firstly became a partner in the Bradford Theatre Royal before taking over the running himself, and then securing the land and building Bradford Alhambra. However, he also ran the Theatre Royal Leeds, and ensured that pantomimes were a key part of their business. At this time people were looking for more family friendly forms of entertainment, moving away from traditional music halls, which made pantomimes seem like a great option. His last pantomime at Leeds was 'Babes in the Wood', which began its run in the winter of 1954. Laidler died in 1955 and the theatre closed two years later.
Francis Laidler pantomimes were very popular, and in 1944 became record breaking. The 1944-45 season production of ‘Humpty Dumpty’ carried on for 22 weeks, which at that time was the longest run of any pantomime in over a hundred years.
Locally Inspired Pantomimes
Although pantomimes are usually based on a limited number of stories, the scripts are often adapted to make each version unique. Sometimes this can be so that local events, places or characters are mentioned, or it can be to make reference to popular events or topics like sport, music or politics. In some cases, the whole pantomime can be made local, such as a version of 'Mother Goose' performed at the Royal Ampitheatre in Leeds in 1865.
'Mother Goose of Woodhouse Moor' was written by local playwright D. Morley. The script featured lots of local references, and it seems to have been very popular with reviewers, and audiences. An excerpt from the Leeds Times January 27 1866 reads:
"This evening at seven o’clock, the admired Farce ‘The Rose of Amiens’, after which the new local gorgeous pantomime witnessed by 95,000 persons who pronounce ‘Mother Goose of Woodhouse Moor’ the best Pantomime and most magnificent scenery in England. Written for this theatre by D. Morley, in which the SISTERS NELSON will appear."
Opinions printed in the Leeds newspapers were also positive:
“The scenes are, without exaggeration, magnificent. ‘The Transformation Scene’ must be seen to be appreciated.” – Intelligencer
“Mother Goose draws immensely at the Amphitheatre, the transformation and other scenes are really magnificent.” – Times
“For gorgeous display, commend us to ‘The Fairy Grove of Golden Laburnums and Scented Waters’, painted by Mr Fox. The crowning effort of all is the Transformation Scene. To describe this scene, is simply impossible.” – Express