Pantomime

Maslouiuoc, among the ancients, a person who could imitate all kinds of actions and characters by signs and gestures without speaking, The pantomimes made a part in the theatrical entertainments of the ancients; their chief employment was to expre , in gestures and action, whatever the chorus sung, changing their countenance and behaviour as the subject of the song yaried. They were very ancient in Greece, being derived from the heroic times, according to some; but however this may be, they were certainly known in Plato’s time. In Rome it was so late as the time of August us before they made their appearance. As to their dre , it was various, being always suited as near as. po ible to that of the person they were to imitate. The crocota was. much used among the Roman pantomimes, io which and other female dre es they personated women. We have this account of them in Gibbon’s history. ‘* The pantomimes, who maintained their reputation from the age of August us to the sixth century, expre ed, without the use of words, the various fables of the gods and heroes of antiquity; and the perfection of their art, which sometimes disarmed the gravity of the philosopher, always excited the applause and wonder of the people. The vast and magnificent theatres of Rome were filled by 3000 female dancers, and by 3000 singers, with the masters of the respective choru es. Such was the popular favour which they enjoyed, that in a time of scarcity, when all strangers were banished from the city, the merit of contributing to the public pleasures exempted them from a law which was strictly executed against the profe ors of-the liberal arts.” ~ Pantomimes are still very common in England: they differ indeed in some respects from those of antiquity; but. they retain the name, and like these they consist in the representations of things merely by gestures. 56