A pantomime dame is a traditional role in British pantomime. It is part of the theatrical tradition of travesti portrayal of female characters by male actors in drag. Dame characters are often played either in an extremely camp style, or else by men acting butch in women's clothing. They usually wear heavy make up and big hair, 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 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 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, Aladdin's mother in the pantomime versions of the story
Mother Goose
The nanny or nurse in Babes in the Woods
The cook in Dick Whittington
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 – Notable dame in pantomimes in Yorkshire.
Stanley Baxter – Award winning Scottish actor and impressionist, famous for his lavish productions, notably at The King's Theatre, Glasgow
Douglas Byng – 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 – English comedian, remembered for his deadpan style and curmudgeonly persona.
Norman Evans – "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"
Rikki Fulton – Award winning Scottish actor and comedian who also made numerous appearances in Scottish pantomimes, notably at The King's Theatre, Glasgow
Paul O'Grady – 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.
Nick Wilton – English actor and scriptwriter, been a professional dame every Christmas since 2000.
Shaun Prendergast – Resident Dame at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith since 2010. Has been quoted in the Daily Telegraph as being 'finest, funniest pantomime Dame in London'.
Harry "Little Tich" Relph – 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 – Regularly plays the Dame at the Hackney Empire and was nominated for an Olivier Award in 2008 for his performance in 'Mother Goose' at said venue.
Kenneth Alan Taylor – playing the pantomime dame for many years in his own productions at Nottingham Playhouse
Tommy Trafford – Lancashire comedian and noted pantomime dame.
Jack Tripp – An English comic actor, singer and dancer who appeared in seaside variety shows and revues.
