Buttons is a traditional character in Cinderellapantomimes, 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.[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]
^ a b cBrown, 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.
^"Theatricals". The Age. London. 17 November 1839.
^"The Drama". Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle. London. 6 October 1844.
^Marie, Louise (29 May 1891). "Tea Table Talk". The Dart. Birmingham.
^Bovey, Paul. "A Very Slippery Tale" (PDF). panto.johngood.com. John Good. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
^ a b cKaplan, Charles (1984). "The Only Native British Art Form". The Antioch Review. 42 (3): 266–276. doi:10.2307/4611362. JSTOR 4611362.
^Knowles, Elizabeth (2005). Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198609810.
^"Cinderella". Radio Times. 19 December 1947. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
^Paton, Maureen (24 December 1991). "Oh yes we do love the panto!". Daily Express. London.
^"Pantomime in the Midlands". Radio Times. 26 December 1941. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
^"BRIAN CONLEY TO STAR AS BUTTONS IN MILTON KEYNES THEATRE PANTOMIME". Crossroads Pantomimes. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
^Merriman, Rebecca (31 March 2016). "Ronnie Corbett dead age 85: TV comedian passes away surrounded by family". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
^ a b"It's Nero in drag!". Daily Mirror. London. 24 December 1976.
^"Star Jim brushes up his Buttons". Daily Express. London. 23 December 1988.