panto dames

[jealybean]

where did the idea of panto dames come from?

[simms]

Apparently you have to be English to really understand pantomime (apols to all). So, pantomime is a descendant of the Italian commedia del'arte (comic plays) of 1600's onwards, which had set characters -Pantaloon, Columbine, Scaramouche etc. In England this developed into Panto as we know it now with the influence of the English music hall - sentimental, bawdy, audience-participation and cross-dressing - so the Principal Boy is a girl and the Dames are blokes. This allowed adult audiences to ogle pretty girls' legs and laugh at blokes camping it up while it all seemed 'innocent children's fun'.