Like most people working in British Theatre I begin rehearsals for Pantomime this week.
It’s the most traditional form of Christmas entertainment for UK audiences but for outsiders it can seem bewildering.
Overseas visitors often believe it’s to do with mime. It isn’t. It’s a particular way of telling well loved children’s stories involving song, dance, broad comedy and audience response that will engage the whole family with a magical and hilarious night out of wholesome fun.
It has some strange traditions though. Almost every pantomime you’ll see will include a “dame” figure or two. These are older and or ugly female characters portrayed by men dressed as women. Originating way back in the Victorian era the humour of this might seem odd in more enlightened times when we view women more respectfully but never-the-less the practice continues bringing much politically incorrect fun to anyone who doesn’t take it too seriously.
Here’s three pantomime dames you can enjoy in London this Christmas.
ALADDIN is as popular Pantomime story and his mum, called Widow Twankey, is nearly always played by a man. Sometimes she’s a glamorous gal with the flamboyance of a beautiful drag queen but just as often she’s a loveable mummsy figure dispensing corny jokes and getting into a muddle as she helps her son on his adventures whilst hoping to find a new husband.
TV comedian Paul Merton will be taking the role for the first time in a spectacular production at the Wimbledon Theatre from 8 December to 6 January. I think he’ll be wonderful as he loves the style of vintage comedy which best suits this traditional entertainment.
Alternatively if you’d like to see a very experienced Twankey, West End star Clive Rowe is so good at it he’s been nominated for an Olivier Award for playing dame. You can see him in Aladdin at Hackney Empire 24 November to 6 Jan.
Gary Wilmot is also a terrific exponent of the art as he proved last year at the London Palladium. He’s back there this Christmas as a new dame, Mrs Crumble, in SNOW WHITE where he leads a star studded cast including Julian Clary, Dawn French, ventriloquist Paul Zerdin and Nigel Havers from 8th December to 13 January.
WAR HORSE is back at the National Theatre to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War and a night of theatre is the perfect way to contemplate the sacrifice millions made in that terrible conflict.