ACT in Action Issue 17

• Norman Evans – (1901–1962) “Evans” distinctive dame evolved out of nosy neighbour Fanny Fairbottom, a character he played on the sketch show Mr Tower of London. Fanny was hugely pop- ular, and allegedly inspired Les Dawson to create the character of Ada”. • Rikki Fulton – (1924–2004) Award winning Scottish actor and comedian who also made numerous appearances in Scottish pantomimes, notably at The King’s Theatre, Glasgow • Patrick Fyffe – Creator of Dame Hilda Bracket, one half of Hinge and Bracket. • Chris Harris – Dame at Theatre Royal, Bath for many years, and writer and director of many pantomimes. • Melvyn Hayes – (born 1935) TV personality, actor well known for playing Gunner/Bombardier ‘Gloria’ Beaumont in BBC TV’s It Ain’t Half Hot Mum • John Inman – (1935–2007) Camp comedy actor well known for playing Mr Humphries in BBC TV’s Are You Being Served? • Berwick Kaler – (born 1947) Currently Britain’s longest serving, Kaler has played his extremely non-camp dame at York Theatre Royal since 1977 • Dan Leno – (1860–1904) a legendary pantomime dame, whose ghost is said to haunt the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. • Danny La Rue – (1927–2009) Irish-born British entertainer known for his singing and drag impersonations. • Dave Lee – (1948–2012) • John Linehan (born 1952) – Northern Irish actor and panto- mime dame better known as the character May McFettridge. Resident Dame at Grand Opera House, Belfast. • G. S. Melvin – (1886–1946) Scottish pantomime dame famous for his song “I’m Happy When I’m Hiking”. • Horace Mills - (1864-1941) British pantomime dame of the early 20th-century particularly at the Prince’s Theatre in Bristol • Paul O’Grady – (born 1955) British comedian and actor best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O’Grady Show and his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage. • Shaun Prendergast (born 1958) – Resident Dame at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith since 2010. Has been quoted in the Daily Telegraph as being ‘finest, funniest pantomime Dame in London’. • Harry “Little Tich” Relph – (1867–1928) He was noted for his various characters, including The Spanish Señora, The Gendarme, and The Tax Collector, but his most popular routine was his Big Boot dance, which involved a pair of 28-inch boots. • Kenneth Alan Taylor playing the pantomime dame for many years in his own productions at Nottingham Playhouse • Tommy Trafford – (1927–1993) Lancashire comedian and noted pantomime dame. • Jack Tripp – (1922–2005) An English comic actor, singer and dancer who appeared in seaside variety shows and revues.

Pictured - Pantomime Dames

1. Chris Harris 2. Dan Leno 3. Berwick Kaler

4. Dan La Rue 5. John Inman 6. Patrick Fyffe 7. Kenneth Alan Taylor 8. Norman Evans 9. Shaun Prendergast

10. Paul O’Grady 11. Les Dawson 12. Stanley Baxter

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