It’s 60 years since the first pantomime was staged at Birmingham Hippodrome and to celebrate, Heritage Volunteer Ivan Heard is giving a one hour talk on the Origins and Traditions of Pantomime – that quintessentially British Christmas institution. Comedians, pop stars, soap stars, sports champions, puppets and straight actors have all joined in the fun and spectacle of the traditional Hippodrome pantomime.

From Cinderella and Dick Whittington, and from Sleeping Beauty to Mother Goose, generations of families have shouted “It’s behind you” at countless stars working their magic to bring the best of entertainment to our stage.

Come and hear how it all began and delight in the stories of Hippodrome pantos across the last 60 years.