The Pantomime Dame - ACE123.4

Scott making up. His VO says his character is an extension of himself and can be accepted by both women and men. Dainty dressing. Talks about doing his speciality ballet dance during the performance, and says that every actor has his own interpretation of a role. George Lacy in his dressing room. He talks about his characterisations and believes he started playing a character like his mother. Paul Laidlaw says drag queens and Dames are – and should be – very different. Wood sums up the elements of the Dame’s character, and asks why they make a Dame funny. Dainty padding his underwear. Lacy making up; says this is when he beings to become a character. Scott making up says he needs to grin to judge the effectiveness of his make-up. Tripp describing the elements of his make-up. Laidlaw in his make-up. Ian Evans. Various make-up shots. Theatre and audience. Wood points out that watching pantomime is watching society’s attitude to women. Female members of the audience mostly believe the character is funny. Wood suggests the character is actually frightening, the mother, the boss, etc., and becomes a substitute for them which can be laughed at and thus made less threatening.