What was the first panto?

Answer 1

Pantos evolved from the Italian tradition of commedia dell'arte, which usually featured a young couple (Arlecchino and Colombina), her father (Pantalone), and his servants (Pulcinella and Pierrot). This became popular in England as the "harlequinade," which usually featured a young couple (Harlequin and Columbine), her father (Pantaloon), and his servants (Clown and Pierrot). The storyline stayed basically the same for 150 years.

In the early 18th century, rival theaters Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane presented programs based on classical stories that would include Opera, Ballet, and comedy. John Weaver, the dancing master at Drury Lane, introduced a show called Tavern Bilkers generally cited as the first English panto; it was not a success. Some years later he produced shows again based on classic themes "after the manner of the Antient [sic] Pantomimes" which did much better. The following year, Lincoln's Inn Fields followed suit, re-introducing Harlequin under the name Lun, short for lunatic.