“Pantomime time”

He's behind you!: Pantomime

Q. We're all familiar with that great British institution pantomime, but where does it come from A. Pantomime as we understand it today is a Christmas entertainment intended primarily - though,01:00 Thu 18th Oct 2001

It's behind you!

YOU LOVE pantomime! Oh, yes you do! Every year you flock to the theatre to see mother get goosed, a girl kiss Cinderella and the villain booed off stage. The art form that had its origins in the01:00 Wed 20th Dec 2000

Child's play

by Nicola Shepherd SOME say it's never too early to introduce children to the theatre. Others, who have sat through a nativity play performed by three-year-olds, will probably insist that there is01:00 Mon 15th Jan 2001

Fowl play: You've cooked his goose

Q. What A. You've spoilt his plans by getting in first. This probably arises from the idea that the goose which was being fattened for a feast was eaten early, so leaving nothing for the special01:00 Mon 15th Oct 2001

When I was younger we used to go to Butlins every year, are they still going

Asks howardpiercy A. Butlins holiday camps, or Butlins Family Entertainment Resorts as they are now called, are still going and there are three resorts left in the UK in Skegness, Minehead and Bognor01:00 Mon 21st May 2001

What is vaudeville

A. Vaudeville is the American version of British music hall and variety. It flourished from the last quarter of the 19th century to the mid 20th. Q. Where does the name come from A. The term01:00 Mon 16th Jul 2001

Why do we use the expression 'over the moon'

Asks Tony Rushton: A. It refers to the 18th century nursery rhyme about the cow jumping over the moon and signifies jumping for joy so high as to break the bounds of gravity. It would be an01:00 Mon 19th Mar 2001

Aren't catchphrases brilliant

By Hermione Gray WHEN did it all start, the TV catchphrase As far back as 1958, the immortal, 'Here's one I made earlier,' was uttered by Blue Peter's first hosts Christopher Trace and Leila01:00 Mon 22nd Jan 2001