A pantomime dame is a traditional role in British

pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was developed in England and is performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and (to a lesser extent) in other English-speaking ...

. It is part of the theatrical tradition of ''

travesti Travesti may refer to: * Travesti (gender identity), a transgender identity in South America * Travesti (theatre), a performance while wearing clothes of the opposite sex * "Travesti", a section of Arca's 2020 single "@@@@@" See also

* Tr ...

'' portrayal of female characters by male actors in drag. Dame characters are often played either in an extremely

camp Camp may refer to: Outdoor accommodation and recreation * Campsite or campground, a recreational outdoor sleeping and eating site * a temporary settlement for nomads * Camp, a term used in New England, Northern Ontario and New Brunswick to descri ...

style, or else by men acting butch in women's clothing. They usually wear heavy make up and

big hair Big hair is a hairstyle that emphasizes large volume or largely styled hair, especially when those styles make the hair occupy a large amount of space above and around the head. The label "big hair" for such styles originated in the late 1970s, wh ...

, have exaggerated physical features, and perform in an over-the-top style.

Dame characters

Characters who are played as pantomime dames are often, though not exclusively, older, matronly women. They may be the protagonist's mother, as in ''

Jack and the Beanstalk "Jack and the Beanstalk" is an English fairy tale. It appeared as "The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" in 1734 4th edition On Commons and as Benjamin Tabart's moralized "The History of Jack and the Bean-Stalk" in 1807. Henry Cole ...

'' and '' Robinson Crusoe'', or a nursemaid to the protagonist, as in '' Sleeping Beauty'' and '' Snow White''. Although often warm and sympathetic characters, dames may also be employed as comic antagonists, such as with the

Ugly Sisters The ugly stepsisters are characters in the fairy tale and pantomime, Cinderella. They are the daughters of Cinderella's wicked stepmother, who treat her poorly. The "ugly stepsisters" have been in variations of the story from as early as researchers ...

in '' Cinderella''. Although some pantomimes traditionally do not contain standard dame roles, certain productions of those stories add a dame character, for example, in many versions of '' Peter Pan''. Other examples of dame characters include: *

Widow Twankey Widow Twankey (originally Twankay, sometimes Twanky) is a female character in the pantomime ''Aladdin''. She is a pantomime dame, played by an older man. History The story of Aladdin is drawn from the ''Arabian Nights'', a collection of Middle- ...

, Aladdin's mother in the pantomime versions of the story * Mother Goose *The nanny or nurse in ''

Babes in the Woods ''Babes in the Woods'' is a 1932 Silly Symphonies animated film. It is a re-working of the British folk tale ''Babes in the Wood'', with some material incorporated from ''Hansel and Gretel'' by the Brothers Grimm, and the addition of a village ...

'' *The cook in ''

Dick Whittington Richard Whittington (c. 1354–1423) of the parish of St Michael Paternoster Royal, City of London, was an English merchant and a politician of the late medieval period. He is also the real-life inspiration for the English folk tale ''Dick ...

'' *The queen in '' Puss in Boots'' *Goldilocks' mother in '' Goldilocks and the Three Bears'', who runs a circus in many versions of the pantomime.

Notable pantomime dames

Peter Alexander Peter Alexander may refer to: * Pete Alexander (born Grover Cleveland Alexander; 1887–1950), American baseball player * Peter Alexander (Shakespearean scholar) (1893–1969), professor of English language and literature at the University of Glasgo ...

– (born 1952) Notable dame in pantomimes in Yorkshire. *

Stanley Baxter Stanley Livingstone Baxter (born 24 May 1926) is a Scottish actor, comedian, impressionist and author. Baxter began his career as a child actor on BBC Scotland and later became known for his British television comedy shows ''The Stanley Baxter ...

– (born 1926) Award winning Scottish actor and impressionist, famous for his lavish productions, notably at The King's Theatre, Glasgow *

Christopher Biggins Christopher Kenneth Biggins (born 16 December 1948) is an English actor and television presenter. Early life Biggins was born in Oldham, Lancashire, the son of William and Pamela Biggins. He was brought up in Salisbury, Wiltshire, attended St P ...

– (born 1948) TV personality, actor * Steven Blakeley – (born 1982) Blakeley has appeared in numerous pantomimes at Theatre Royal Windsor * Douglas Byng – (1893–1988) A legendary dame who appeared in over 50 pantomimes, Byng was also a noted cabaret and revue artiste. He was the first glamorous dame and designed all his own costumes. *

Herbert Campbell Herbert Campbell (22 December 1844 – 19 July 1904), born Herbert Edward Story, was an English comedian and actor who appeared in music hall, Victorian burlesques and musical comedies during the Victorian era. He was famous for starring, for ...

(1844–1904) a highly popular pantomime dame alongside Dan Leno at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. * Les Dawson – (1931–1993) English comedian, remembered for his deadpan style and curmudgeonly persona. *

Norman Evans Norman Evans (11 June 1901 – 25 November 1962) was an English stage and radio comedian, best remembered for his sketches and programmes entitled "Over the Garden Wall". Biography He was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, and started his working li ...

– (1901–1962) "Evans' distinctive dame evolved out of nosy neighbour Fanny Fairbottom, a character he played on the sketch show ''Mr Tower of London''. Fanny was hugely popular, and allegedly inspired Les Dawson to create the character of Ada" ''The Telegraph'', 14 December 2005
/ref> * Rikki Fulton – (1924–2004) Award winning Scottish actor and comedian who also made numerous appearances in Scottish pantomimes, notably at The King's Theatre, Glasgow * Patrick Fyffe – (1942–2002) Creator of Dame Hilda Bracket, one half of Hinge and Bracket. *

Shaun Glenville Shaun Glenville (born John Browne; 16 May 1884 – 28 December 1968) was an Irish actor who specialised in pantomime performances - he would play the dame while his wife Dorothy Ward would play the principal boy. The music hall historian ...

– (1884–1968), had a 50 year career in pantomime, often opposite his wife Dorothy Ward. * Chris Harris – (1942–2014) Dame at Theatre Royal, Bath for many years, and writer and director of many pantomimes. *

Melvyn Hayes Melvyn Hayes (''né'' Hyams; 11 January 1935) is an English actor and voice over performer. He is best known for playing the effeminate Gunner (later Bombardier) "Gloria" Beaumont in the 1970s BBC sitcom ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'', for appear ...

– (born 1935) TV personality, actor well known for playing Gunner/Bombardier 'Gloria' Beaumont in BBC TV's '' It Ain't Half Hot Mum'' * John Inman – (1935–2007) Camp comedy actor well known for playing Mr Humphries in BBC TV's '' Are You Being Served?'' *

Berwick Kaler Berwick Kaler (born 31 October 1946) is a British actor most famous for playing the dame in York Theatre Royal's annual pantomime, which he also wrote and directed. He has been awarded the freedom of the city, and in 2002 received an honorary de ...

– (born 1947) Currently Britain's longest serving, Kaler has played his extremely non–camp dame at York Theatre Royal since 1977 *

George Lacy George Lacy (27 January 1904 – 11 January 1989) was a British entertainer and actor, best known for his groundbreaking performances as a pantomime dame, particularly "Mother Goose". Biography Born in Newington, London, he made his first ...

– (1904–1989) - Widely regarded as the finest Dame of his generation, and the originator of the Dame's multiple costume changes.Roy Hudd and Philip Hindin, ''Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts'', Robson Books, 1998, , p.100 *

Danny La Rue Danny La Rue, (born Daniel Patrick Carroll, 26 July 1927 – 31 May 2009) was an Irish singer and entertainer, best known for his on-stage drag queen, drag persona. He performed in drag and also as himself in theatrical productions, television ...

– (1927–2009) Irish–born British entertainer known for his singing and female–impersonation * Dave Lee – (1948–2012) British comedian known for his work in pantomimes around Kent * Dan Leno – (1860–1904) a legendary pantomime dame, whose ghost is said to haunt the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. * John Linehan (born 1952) – Northern Irish actor and pantomime dame better known as the character May McFettridge. Resident Dame at Grand Opera House, Belfast. *

G. S. Melvin George Spence Melvin (20 February 1886 – 2 December 1946) was a Scottish music hall comedian and noted pantomime dame. Biography Melvin was born in Old Machar, Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was a stage actor and producer, and Melvin firs ...

– (1886–1946) Scottish pantomime dame famous for his song "I'm Happy When I'm Hiking". *

Horace Mills Horace Mills (1 September 1864 – 14 August 1941) was a British singer, actor and dramatist who specialised in playing pantomime dames in the early 20th-century. Born in Portsea in Portsmouth in 1864, he was the oldest of six children born to E ...

– (1864–1941) British pantomime dame of the early 20th–century particularly at the Prince's Theatre in

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

* Jimmy O'Dea – (1899–1965) Irish actor and portrayer of

Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe ''Biddy Mulligan the Pride of the Coombe'' (sometimes just called ''Biddy Mulligan'') is a song written by Seamus Kavanagh in the 1930s, and made famous by Jimmy O'Dea. History of the Song The songwriter Seamus Kavanagh collaborated with the scrip ...

in Dublin pantomimes * Paul O'Grady – (born 1955) British comedian and actor best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage. * Shaun Prendergast (born 1958) – Resident Dame at

Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith The Lyric Theatre, also known as the Lyric Hammersmith, is a theatre on Lyric Square, off King Street, Hammersmith, London.

since 2010. Has been quoted in the

Daily Telegraph Daily or The Daily may refer to: Journalism * Daily newspaper, newspaper issued on five to seven day of most weeks * ''The Daily'' (podcast), a podcast by ''The New York Times'' * ''The Daily'' (News Corporation), a defunct US-based iPad new ...

as being 'finest, funniest pantomime Dame in London'. * Harry "Little Tich" Relph – (1867–1928) He was noted for his various characters, including The Spanish Señora, The Gendarme, and The Tax Collector, but his most popular routine was his Big Boot dance, which involved a pair of 28-inch boots. *

Clive Rowe Clive Mark Rowe (born 27 March 1964) is a British actor, best known for his role as Norman "Duke" Ellington in BBC Children's drama ''The Story of Tracy Beaker''. He also starred as Mayor Doyle in the Disney show '' The Evermoor Chronicles''. ...

– (born 1964) Regularly plays the Dame at the

Hackney Empire Hackney Empire is a theatre on Mare Street, in the London Borough of Hackney. Originally designed by Frank Matcham it was built in 1901 as a music hall, and expanded in 2001. Described by ''The Guardian'' as ‘the most beautiful theatre in Lon ...

and was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2008 for his performance in 'Mother Goose' at said venue. * Allan Stewart - (born 1950) Scottish entertainer best known for playing dame at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh who played Buttons, Wishee Washee and other comic parts for many years but transitioned to playing dame after playing the character of Aunty May on TV. *

Kenneth Alan Taylor Kenneth Alan Taylor (born 1937) is a British pantomime writer and actor. He is best known for having played the pantomime dame for thirty years in his own productions at Nottingham Playhouse. Career He started writing Pantoes in 1962 in Oldha ...

– (born 1937) playing the pantomime dame for many years in his own productions at Nottingham Playhouse * Tommy Trafford – (1927–1993) Lancashire comedian and noted pantomime dame. *

Jack Tripp Jack Tripp (4 February 1922 – 10 July 2005) was an English Comic actors, comic actor, singer and dancer who appeared in seaside variety shows and revues and became best known for his many performances as a pantomime dame. Born in Plymouth, D ...

– (1922–2005) An English comic actor, singer and dancer who appeared in seaside variety shows and revues. *

Nick Wilton Nicholas Wilton is an English actor and scriptwriter. He has appeared as Mr Lister in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' as a recurring character; he has also appeared in ''Carrott's Lib'' and ''Jackanory''. Early life Wilton studied English ...

– (born 1957) English actor and scriptwriter, been a professional dame every Christmas since 2000.

References

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