A
British form of comic theatre for a family audience. Typically features a number of stock characters, such as the dame, an exagerrated female character played by a
man in drag; and the principal boy, usually the title character, played by a woman.
Pantomimes, also known as pantos, are usually based on classic fairy tales or children'
s stories, such as Snow
White, Cinderella, Dick Whittington and Jack and the Beanstalk.
The audience is expected to get involved, by shouting "He'
s behind you", "Oh, no it isn't", "Oh, yes it is", etc, or booing and hissing the main villian.