Children across Croydon have been learning about the importance of the tradition of pantomime.

75 youngsters at Croydon Central Library have taken part in a Q&A and meet and greet session with the starts of the town’s panto.

Dame Dilly Doughnut and The Wicked Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs also delivered a fairytale reading session.

Pantomime has a long theatrical history in Western culture dating back to the era of classical theatre.

It developed partly from the 16th century commedia dell’arte tradition of Italy and other European and British stage traditions.

Outside of Britain, the word “pantomime” is often understood to mean miming, rather than theatre.