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]

An actor playing Buttons in a 2015 pantomime in Herne Bay, England

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

1. Brown, Richard (2002). ""When in doubt do gender": Constructing Masculinities in "Penelope," "they're all Buttons men"". Joyce Studies Annual. 13: 156–7. doi:10.1353/joy.2002.0005. S2CID 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 (29 May 1891). "Tea Table Talk". The Dart. Birmingham.
5. Bovey, Paul. "A Very Slippery Tale" (PDF). panto.johngood.com. John Good. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
6. Kaplan, Charles (1984). "The Only Native British Art Form". The Antioch Review. 42 (3): 266–276. doi:10.2307/4611362. JSTOR 4611362.
7. "Buttons". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
8. Knowles, Elizabeth (2005). Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198609810.
9. "Cinderella". Radio Times. 19 December 1947. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
10. Paton, Maureen (24 December 1991). "Oh yes we do love the panto!". Daily Express. London.
11. "Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 26 December 1941. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
12. "BRIAN CONLEY TO STAR AS BUTTONS IN MILTON KEYNES THEATRE PANTOMIME". Crossroads Pantomimes. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
13. Merriman, Rebecca (31 March 2016). "Ronnie Corbett dead age 85: TV comedian passes away surrounded by family". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
14. "It's Nero in drag!". Daily Mirror. London. 24 December 1976.
15. "Star Jim brushes up his Buttons". Daily Express. London. 23 December 1988.
16. "The Alhambra Theatre, Wellington Street, Glasgow". www.arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
17. "Christmas Plays and pantomimes". The Times. London. 24 December 1945.
18. "Cinderella". Radio Times. No. 325. 20 December 1929. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
19. "Cinderella". Radio Times. 24 December 1948. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
20. "Theatre feature: Remembrance of Theatre Past (15–17): More on the Tynewear Theatre Company".
21. "Facts about Danny Kaye (P2) : Classic Movie Hub (CMH)".
22. Clapp, Susannah (16 December 2007). "Poof! Buttons gets his man at last". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
23. Hosey, Seamus; Henderson, Lynda (1984). "The Turkey Trot". Theatre Ireland (8): 72–74. JSTOR 25488969.
24. "Sir Harry Lauder as Buttons in 'Cinderella'". www.npg.org.uk. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
25. Guide, British Comedy. "Not Going Out Panto". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
26. Hadfield, Paul; Henderson, Linda (1983). "Behind the Times..... 1953". Theatre Ireland (5): 96. JSTOR 25488895.
27. Crossley, Mick (11 December 2008). "Great dames who trod the boards". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
28. "Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 29 January 1942. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
29. "Cinderella (2000)". www.imdb.com. IMDb. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
30. "Leading a Merry Dance". The Guardian. 2 December 1995.
31. "Cinderella". Radio Times. 18 December 1969. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
32. "Cinderella". collections.vam.ac.uk. Victoria & Albert Museum. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
33. "Another Nod to the past- More Panto Flyers". ibygreenroom.wordpress.com. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2018. Tommy as Buttons (photo)
34. Everett, Lucinda. "Cinderella, New Wimbledon Theatre, review: 'thoroughly festive'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
35. "Music Hall". Radio Times. 3 April 1936. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
36. "Bradley Walsh :: Pantomime". www.bradleywalsh.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-13.