Pantomime, a peculiarly British traditional Christmas show for the whole family, is part vaudeville, part fairy tale, part homage to the Italian commedia dell'arte tradition of stylized romantic comedy and clowning. Added to the mix are an element of brash modern showbiz entertainment, a tradition of ritualized-but-riotous audience participation, and a dash of the old midwinter pagan "feast of misrule" when everything was turned topsy-turvy for a day--men became women, paupers became kings. As you can imagine, this wonderful rag-bag of holiday fun can be noisy and glitzy, rude and romantic, subversive and spectacular.

The panto tradition in ...