Pantomime is a beloved theatrical tradition, rich in humour, colourful costumes and timeless characters that bring joy to audiences of all ages.
This article will explore the classic pantomime characters and roles, from the extravagant dame to the heroic principal boy and the whimsical fairy godmother.
Pantomime Characters and Their Roles
The Villain
Villains are the characters that audiences love to hate. When they enter the stage, they’re always met with ‘booing’ and banter to the delight of the children in the audience.
Hook, the most iconic villain on stage, is both fearsome and comical. His interactions with his crew, especially the loyal Smee, provide plenty of laughs. Despite his dark intentions throughout, Hook’s charisma and theatrical flair captivate the audience, who eagerly await his return to the stage, even while enthusiastically ‘booing’ and ‘hissing’ at his every plot.
The Principal Girl
Often portrayed as kind-hearted and wearing beautifully designed dresses, the principal girls find themselves in trouble and rely on the hero to save them. Yet, in recent years, the audience has seen that the damsels can take matters into their own hands.
Rapunzel is such a character that is more than just a romantic lead; she is resourceful and witty, able to outsmart the villains and save the day. She has evolved into a more empowering figure, reflecting society’s changing attitudes towards female characters, inspiring the next generation of women to embrace their strength, assert their independence and confidently pursue their adventures.
The Principal Boy
Female actors have traditionally played the boy hero since the 19th century. They bring youth, charm, and femininity to the role, making them more engaging and appealing to the audience.
Peter Pan’s youthful energy highlights the blend of boyish charm and underlying grace that defines the principal boy role. The costume typically includes a green tunic, tights, knee-high boots and a pixie-cut tousled wig. The outfit is designed to be form-fitting, allowing freedom of movement for the acrobatic, athletic stunts required for the flying and fighting scenes.
Fairy Magical Characters
The fairy magical characters often act as a principal girl’s or boy’s protector or guide, using their magical powers to ensure everything goes to plan.
The fairy Godmother in Cinderella uses her magic to transform Cinderella’s fate. Often portrayed as whimsical and mothering, her costume highlights this through a flowing, glittering gown with a hooded cape, soft in pastel colours like sky blue, silver or lilac. With her signature wand and cheerful demeanour, the Fairy Godmother brings a touch of enchantment while providing moral guidance through rhyme.
The Dame
A dame is traditionally played by a male cast member dressed in drag. She has an exaggerated femininity and dialogue filled with humour, puns, and cheeky innuendos. For further comical effect, she is intentionally made to look ridiculously unattractive with over-the-top flamboyant costumes.
The dame character in Aladdin is Widow Twankey, Aladdin’s mother. Beloved by the audience for her outrageous costumes, exaggerated makeup and over-the-top personality, she brings humour and energy to the story through her struggling laundry business, often breaking the fourth wall in playful banter with the audience.
Animal Characters
Skin roles, in which an actor plays inside an animal costume designed by expert costume makers, have been part of pantomime since the beginning. These pantomime characters often do not speak and are usually played by two actors in costumes, emphasising slapstick comedy and physical humour that appeals purposely to younger audience members.
Daisy the Cow in Jack and the Beanstalk serves comedic and narrative roles, adding charm and humour to the story. She often becomes the audience’s favourite due to her innocence and playful, heartfelt bond with Jack, providing emotional depth amid the comedic chaos.
Liz Johnson is the owner and lead designer of Promotional Props and Costumes, a Nottingham-based company specialising in creating bespoke props and costumes for marketing, advertising, and promotions. With a particular flair for puppetry and walkabout costumes, Liz has been bringing her designs to life since 2000.
Liz studied Theatre Design, Puppetry and Prop Costuming at Nottingham Trent University. After honing her craft at a puppetry company post-graduation, she embarked on her entrepreneurial venture, bringing her unique vision to life.
Today, Promotional Props and Costumes are at the forefront of creating mascot costumes, puppets, and one-off props for stage, television, and the advertising industry. Liz’s expertise extends beyond her business; she shares her knowledge as a sessional lecturer in Costume Design and Making at Nottingham Trent University, inspiring the next generation of creative professionals.
