Buttons (pantomime)

Buttons is a traditional character in Cinderella pantomimes, 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]

An actor playing Buttons in a 2015 pantomime in Herne Bay, England

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]

People who have played Buttons

• Arthur Askey 26 December 1947 Radio BBC Home Service^[9]
• Graham Bickley 1991 Richmond Theatre Surrey^[10]
• Jack Buchanan 1941 unspecified Midlands Theatre^[11]
• Brian Conley 2009, 2015 and 2021^[12]
• Ronnie Corbett^[13]
• Billy Dainty 1976 Manchester Opera House^[14]
• Jim Davidson 1988 Dominion Theatre London^[15]
• Lonnie Donegan 1966 Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow^[16]
• Bud Flanagan 1945 Adelphi Theatre^[17]
• Tommy Handley 26 December 1929 BBC Radio^[18]
• Jack Hulbert 27 December 1948 BBC TV^[19]
• David Jason 1979 Newcastle Theatre Royal^[20]
• Danny Kaye mid-1950s in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia^[21]
• Paul Keating 2007 The Old Vic^[22]
• Adele King 1984 Olympia Theatre, Dublin^[23]
• Harry Lauder 1907 first stage appearance^[6][24]
• Lee Mack 2021 in Not Going Out^[25]
• Tom O'Connor 1976 Southport Theatre^[14]
• Jimmy O'Dea 1923 Queen's Theatre, Dublin^[26]
• Wilfred Pickles 1947 Bradford Alhambra^[27]
• Ted Ray 1942 unspecified Midland Theatre^[28]
• Frank Skinner 2000 TV film of stage show^[29]
• Tommy Steele 1958 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical version in London.^[30]
• Jimmy Tarbuck 25 December 1969 BBC1 TV^[31]
• Tommy Trinder 1948-9 London Palladium^[32] later undated^[33]
• Tim Vine 2018 New Wimbledon Theatre^[34]
• Wee Georgie Wood 1936 Birmingham theatre^[35]
• Bradley Walsh 2013 Orchard Theatre, Dartford^[36]