A pantomime dame is a traditional character in British pantomime. It is a continuation of en travesti portrayal of female characters by male actors in drag. They are often played either in an extremely camp style, or else by men acting 'butch' in women's clothing. They wear big make up and big hair, have exaggerated physical features, and perform in a melodramatic style.
Examples of these characters are: Widow Twankey in "Aladdin", the Nanny or Nurse in "Sleeping Beauty", Jack's mother in "Jack and the Beanstalk", Jim Hawkins' mother in "Treasure Island" and Sinbad's mother in "Aladdin" as well as the cook in "Dick Whittington". In productions of "Cinderella", one may find that there are two dames in the script, who are the Ugly Sisters.
Possibly the best known of this type of character is Dame Edna Everage whose name plays on two meanings of dame: this tradition and the title equivalent to Sir.
Read more about Pantomime Dame: Notable Pantomime Dames in Britain
Famous quotes containing the word dame:
“When my old wife lived, upon
This day she was both pantler, butler, cook,
Both dame and servant, welcomed all, served all,
Would sing her song and dance her turn, now here
At upper end o’the table, now i’the middle,
On his shoulder, and his, her face afire
With labor, and the thing she took to quench it
She would to each one sip.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)