A new exhibition at Warminster Museum will explore the history of pantomimes.
The museum’s current display features historical photographs of pantomimes as well as historical posters of pantomime performances at the Athenaeum.
“Warminster Museum had a very vibrant display on the history of Christmas during December,” said Penny, who volunteers at the museum.
“We then decided to move onto pantomimes for the New Year as we had discovered, that in years gone by, pantos were not performed until late January or early February and that was also the case in Warminster, hence our display now.
“Pantomimes or variety shows of that type have been performed over the centuries all over the world, even during the two world wars. This was mainly to help keep the spirits up for everyone at home or away. They are now even more popular but most still follow quite a set path, vaguely based on a fairy tale, of singing, dancing, comedy, romance and finally good winning out over evil!”
The exhibition will be available to visit until the middle of March.
Warminster Museum is located within Warminster Library and is open on Mondays from 10am until 7pm, Tuesdays from 9.30pm until 5pm, Wednesdays from 9.30pm until 12.30pm, Thursdays from 9.30am until 7pm, Fridays from 9.30am until 5pm and Saturdays from 9.30am until 4pm.
