Politics of the Pantomime: Regional Identity in the Theatre 1860-1900

Dynamic and unique, this history examines pantomime productions in the English provinces--particularly Birmingham, Nottingham, and Manchester--from 1860 through 1900. Arguing that pantomimes were rooted in specific expressions of local identity, this volume explores censorship as well as the relationships between theaters, their managers, authors, and audiences. This valuable contribution to the study of Victorian popular culture also demonstrates how regional pantomime theater utilized political satire to its full advantage due to its geographical and creative distance from London.