Buttons (pantomime) explained

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.

While the character introduces a note of pathos in his unrequited love for Cinderella,^{[1] [7]} he is often portrayed in a comic tone.^{[1] [6]}

People who have played Buttons

• Arthur Askey 26 December 1947 Radio BBC Home Service^[8]
• Graham Bickley 1991 Richmond Theatre Surrey^[9]
• Jack Buchanan 1941 unspecified Midlands Theatre^[10]
• Brian Conley 2009, 2015 and 2021^[11]
• Ronnie Corbett^[12]
• Billy Dainty 1976 Manchester Opera House^[13]
• Jim Davidson 1988 Dominion Theatre London^[14]
• Lonnie Donegan 1966 Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow^[15]
• Bud Flanagan 1945 Adelphi Theatre^[16]
• Tommy Handley 26 December 1929 BBC Radio^[17]
• Jack Hulbert 27 December 1948 BBC TV^[18]
• David Jason 1979 Newcastle Theatre Royal^[19]
• Danny Kaye mid-1950s in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia^[20]
• Paul Keating 2007 The Old Vic^[21]
• Adele King 1984 Olympia Theatre, Dublin^[22]
• Harry Lauder 1907 first stage appearance^{[6] [23]}
• Lee Mack 2021 in Not Going Out^[24]
• Tom O'Connor 1976 Southport Theatre^[13]
• Jimmy O'Dea 1923 Queen's Theatre, Dublin^[25]
• Wilfred Pickles 1947 Bradford Alhambra^[26]
• Ted Ray 1942 unspecified Midland Theatre^[27]
• Frank Skinner 2000 TV film of stage show^[28]
• Tommy Steele 1958 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version in London.^[29]
• Jimmy Tarbuck 25 December 1969 BBC1 TV^[30]
• Tommy Trinder 1948-9 London Palladium^[31] later undated^[32]
• Tim Vine 2018 New Wimbledon Theatre^[33]
• Wee Georgie Wood 1936 Birmingham theatre^[34]
• Bradley Walsh 2013 Orchard Theatre, Dartford^[35]
• Gabriel Sideras Dec. 1-7th 2024 Epic Theatre, Sheffield

Notes and References

1. Brown . Richard . 2002. "When in doubt do gender": Constructing Masculinities in "Penelope," "they're all Buttons men". Joyce Studies Annual . 13 . 156–7 . 10.1353/joy.2002.0005 . 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. Tea Table Talk . The Dart . Birmingham . 29 May 1891 .
5. Web site: A Very Slippery Tale . Bovey . Paul . panto.johngood.com . John Good . 9 December 2018 .
6. Kaplan . Charles . 1984 . The Only Native British Art Form . The Antioch Review . 42 . 3 . 266–276 . 10.2307/4611362. 4611362 .
7. Book: Knowles, Elizabeth . 2005 . Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable . Oxford University Press . 9780198609810 .
8. . Cinderella . Radio Times . 19 December 1947 . 8 December 2018 .
9. News: Paton . Maureen . 24 December 1991 . Oh yes we do love the panto! . Daily Express . London .
10. . Pantomime in the Midlands . Radio Times . 26 December 1941 . 8 December 2018.
11. Web site: BRIAN CONLEY TO STAR AS BUTTONS IN MILTON KEYNES THEATRE PANTOMIME . 2023-11-13 . Crossroads Pantomimes . en-GB.
12. News: Merriman . Rebecca . 31 March 2016 . Ronnie Corbett dead age 85: TV comedian passes away surrounded by family . Daily Mirror . London . 8 December 2018 .
13. News: . It's Nero in drag!. Daily Mirror . London. 24 December 1976 .
14. News: . Star Jim brushes up his Buttons . Daily Express . London . 23 December 1988 .
15. Web site: The Alhambra Theatre, Wellington Street, Glasgow . . www.arthurlloyd.co.uk . 8 December 2018 .
16. News: . Christmas Plays and pantomimes . The Times . London . 24 December 1945 .
17. . Cinderella . Radio Times . 325 . 20 December 1929 . 8 December 2018 .
18. . Cinderella . Radio Times . 24 December 1948 . 8 December 2018 .
19. Web site: Theatre feature: Remembrance of Theatre Past (15–17): More on the Tynewear Theatre Company.
20. Web site: Facts about Danny Kaye (P2) : Classic Movie Hub (CMH) .
21. News: Clapp . Susannah . 16 December 2007 . Poof! Buttons gets his man at last. The Guardian . 9 December 2018.
22. Hosey . Seamus . Henderson . Lynda . 1984 . The Turkey Trot . Theatre Ireland . 8 . 72–74 . 25488969 .
23. Web site: Sir Harry Lauder as Buttons in 'Cinderella' . . www.npg.org.uk . National Portrait Gallery . 8 December 2018 .
24. Web site: Guide . British Comedy . Not Going Out Panto . 2023-11-13 . British Comedy Guide . en.
25. Hadfield . Paul . Henderson . Linda . Behind the Times..... 1953. Theatre Ireland . 5 . 96 . 25488895 . 1983 .
26. News: Crossley . Mick . 11 December 2008 . Great dames who trod the boards . Telegraph & Argus . Bradford . 8 December 2018.
27. . Pantomime in the Midlands . Radio Times . 29 January 1942 . 8 December 2018 .
28. Web site: Cinderella (2000) . www.imdb.com . IMDb . 8 December 2018 .
29. News: . Leading a Merry Dance . The Guardian . 2 December 1995 .
30. . Cinderella . Radio Times . 18 December 1969 . 8 December 2018 .
31. Web site: Cinderella . . collections.vam.ac.uk . Victoria & Albert Museum . 8 December 2018 .
32. Web site: Another Nod to the past- More Panto Flyers . . 20 May 2015 . ibygreenroom.wordpress.com . 8 December 2018 . Tommy as Buttons (photo).
33. News: Everett . Lucinda . Cinderella, New Wimbledon Theatre, review: 'thoroughly festive' . The Telegraph . 10 December 2018 .
34. . Music Hall . Radio Times . 3 April 1936 . 8 December 2018 .
35. Web site: Bradley Walsh :: Pantomime . 2023-11-13 . www.bradleywalsh.co.uk.