Apantomime dame is a traditional role in Britishpantomime. It is part of the theatrical tradition oftravesti portrayal of female characters by male actors indrag. Dame characters are often played either in an extremelycamp style, or else by men actingbutch in women's clothing. They usually wear heavy make up andbig hair, have exaggerated physical features, and perform in an over-the-top style.
Characters who are played as pantomime dames are often, though not exclusively, older, matronly women. They may be the protagonist's mother, as inJack and the Beanstalk andRobinson Crusoe, or anursemaid to the protagonist, as inSleeping Beauty andSnow White. Although often warm and sympathetic characters, dames may also be employed as comic antagonists, such as with theUgly Sisters,wicked stepmother or theFairy Godmother inCinderella.[1] Although some pantomimes traditionally do not contain standard dame roles, certain productions of those stories add a dame character, for example, in many versions ofPeter Pan.[2] Pantomime dames often have numerous costume changes in a performance, each costume change being more extravagant than the last.Other examples of dame characters include:
Douglas Byng – (1893–1987), 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
Les Dawson – (1931–1993), English comedian, remembered for his deadpan style and curmudgeonly persona
Norman Evans – (1901–1962), "Evans' distinctive dame evolved out of nosy neighbour Fanny Fairbottom, a character he played on the sketch showMr Tower of London. Fanny was hugely popular, and allegedly inspiredLes Dawson to create the character of Ada"[4]
Rikki Fulton – (1924–2004), award winning Scottish actor and comedian who also made numerous appearances in Scottish pantomimes, notably at TheKing's Theatre, Glasgow
John Linehan (born 1952), Northern Irish actor and pantomime dame better known as the character May McFettridge. Resident Dame at theGrand Opera House, Belfast
SirIan McKellen – (born 1939), English actor and British cultural icon
G. S. Melvin – (1886–1946), Scottish pantomime dame famous for his song "I'm Happy When I'm Hiking"
Paul O'Grady – (1955-2023), British comedian and actor best known for presenting the daytime chat television seriesThe Paul O'Grady Show, and his drag queen comedic alter ego Lily Savage
Harry "Little Tich" Relph – (1867–1928), noted for his various characters, including The Spanish Señora, The Gendarme, and The Tax Collector. His most popular routine was his Big-Boot Dance, which involved a pair of 28-inch boots
Ben Roddy - (born 1974), English actor, resident dame at TheMarlowe Theatre, Canterbury since 2012[8]
Clive Rowe – (born 1964), regularly plays the dame at theHackney Empire and was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2008 for his performance in 'Mother Goose' at that venue
Allan Stewart - (born 1950), Scottish entertainer best known for playing the dame at theKing's Theatre, Edinburgh. He played Buttons, Wishee Washee and other comic parts for many years but transitioned to playing the dame after playing the character of Aunty May on TV.
