21.

DAMES

* THE ENGISH PANTOMIME *****

Each year, starting just before Christmas and often running on into March, occurs that peculiarly English phen- omenon of the theater, the pantomime. A vehicle for fun, glitter, music, burlesque and dancing, pantomime is a uni- que form of seasonal entertainment which traces a heredity back to the Italian Clown tradition. Intended primarily for children, it is loved and laughed at by all.

The loose plot is based on such fairy tales as Cin- derella, Alladin, Mother Goose and the Queen of Hearts The hero, or "principle boy" is played by a striding, shapely girl in tights and short tunic, while the "prin- ciple girl" IS a girl, customarily a feminine, pretty, so- prano voiced creature. The principle comedian is the "dame" played by a man, and "she" is usually the mother of one of the other two leading characters.

The dame comedian is normally loud-voiced, brassy and rather unattractive from the feminine standpoint, with outrageous clothes and a grotesque wig. However, there is often a scene midway in the proceedings where the dame meets good fortune via the ministrations of a good fairy and is transformed into an elegant woman wearing chic, ar- tractive feminine clothing abetted by a good girdle and a shapely bosom, flattering make-up, smart shoes, tasteful jewelry and a good wig Depending on the particular com- edian, the result can be quite stunning. The metamorpho- sis may then be sustained by various changes of costume, to the end of the show, or terminated by a reverse of for- tune to bring the dame back to ill-fitting dresses etc.

But in every case, the finale features the dame stun- ningly got up in an evening or a ball gown, sequins, furs, and flashy jewelry pant Very full, sweeping skirts, often requiring a page or two to support the train, are the vogue here--even vast hoop skirts with voluminous crinolines beneath, He always makes a grand entrance, beaming, or smiling lasciviously, as he swirls down the