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Dear reader,

The Christmas Panto is a tradition we do not have here in the states, but it has existed in various forms in the UK, since the seventeenth century. What began as true pantomime or dumb show, slowly changed to a retelling of fairy tales and bedtime stories. These were often combined with a Harlequinade: a broad slapstick story with set characters. Columbine and Harlequin are lovers, running from her father, Pantaloon, and chased by the clown and the servant, Pierrot. Harlequin carries a slapstick or magic sword, and used it like a magic wand to cue scene changes and special effects.

Joseph Grimaldi was an actor well known for his panto Harlequin and Mother Goose: or The Golden Egg. He would have been playing just down the street from the characters in my imaginary Pageant Playhouse. Grimaldi played the clown, and is considered to be the inventor of the modern day whiteface clown.

Those readers frightened of clowns now know who to blame.