22.

stairway, and takes his place with the other principals for a last song, a curtsy and then the curtain,

The Dame is a demanding and arduous role for any man, but many comedians play it every year in the major theaters, Some make good women, orthers are sheer burlesque in their approach, It is at the small town and amateur level of pan- tomime that TV's have their chance, thought it is a fact that a number of the big names have TV tendencies and for this reason accept the role every year. But the amateur is in many ways in a better situation, for he enjoys the minis- trabions of amateur wardrobe mistresses in contrast to the cold eye of theater professionals, and is feminized by local women with their clothes and accessories.

I have had the good fortune to see several amateur per- formances and to know people responsible for production and direction, and as a TV myself have always been particularly interested in the Dame. One I saw obviously loved his role for he had a good figure and could move in that fluid way most men in women's things find difficult. In a bedroom scene, to loud laughter from the audience, he changed from a dress into a blouse and suit with great style and grace, revealing a very pretty blue silk slip in the process, and donning stockings with much skirt-raising and provocative bending of the knees. (Many dames, amateur and pro, wear elastic leg knickers, or bloomers, partly as a sure laugh getter and partly as a protection during frequent exposure of the legs during the knockabout comedy that is a feature of pantomime,) Very clearly, this fellow greatly enjoyed wearing skirts, and was, moreover, a great hit with the aud- ience, especially the women.

And once, when I was very young, I can clearly remember my elder sister lending her clothes to a neighbor who was playing the Dame part: They were collected by, presumably the wardrobe mistress, but later, before the actual produc- tion, he came round fully dressed in the things as a court- esy to my sister whose clothes fitted him perfectly. My sister was, and is, 5'9" tall. I had just gone to bed but was attracted by feminine shrieks and giggles from the