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Original poster

Time for Women with Talent to Take Back Older Female Roles in Pantos

516 replies

SpringTimeIsRingTime · 08/02/2026 15:31

Panto Dames have been a thing since 1806 when a certain Mr Simmons decided to play Mother Goose as a Witch (how original) rather than as a caring grandmother figure. Nowadays panto dames are mainly played by gay men in drag.

I think it's time for talented actresses to take back elder female roles from the tired tropes played by men since the Victorian era.

OP posts:
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9
Tankflop · 10/02/2026 18:35

@taxi4ballet

Sorry you had to go to your taxi4ballet but you conveniently missed all the links to papers discussing best actress.

I am lost as how to someone using the term actress makes them transphobic.

😂LOL

Original poster
SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 18:31

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 15:12

I despair. This thread isn't about giving women opportunities in the theatre. It was never intended to be.

The homophobia and transphobia shown by some posters on this thread under the guise of feminism is quite staggering. There. I've said it.

Wanting character roles based on older female figures to go to older actresses is homophobic?

By that "logic", roles representing homosexual men should be filled by older women because otherwise it's ageist, sexist and hetero phobic to declare them unsuitable.

Where on earth has anyone mentioned "trans" other than you crowbarring it in for your own reasons?

OP posts:
Tankflop · 10/02/2026 18:26

Palladium panto last year -

CATHERINE TATE
JULIAN CLARY
PAUL ZERDIN
NIGEL HAVERS
JON CULSHAW
EMILY LANE
AMONIK MELACO
ROB MADGE

6 men and 2 women

And this replicates most of the big professional productions were pay is best.

It’s actually outrageous.

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 18:26

I'm leaving the thread now, I have a rehearsal to go to and I doubt whether the thread will improve any while I'm out.

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

There you are. Hoist by your own petard.* *

"Gay men who do drag" eh? So not only are you assuming that all artists who perform the role of a panto Dame are gay and proudly blatantly misogynistic, you are also assuming that straight people don't dress up in drag for theatrical performances. So it is not the fact that men instead of women who play Dames that you are riled up about, it is because you believe they are either gay or drag queens or both.

I've just had a look back through the thread as there was another comment of yours that I wanted to quote and I can't find it, so I can therefore only assume that it was in the post of yours that has been deleted by MNHQ. Seems like other people must have found it as offensive as I did and reported it.

Oh yes, and why did you post a link to a DM article not once, but twice? The Daily Mail. That bastion of tolerance, inclusivity and LGBTQ etc rights. 🙄

From your numerous posts it is abundantly clear that it is both homosexuals and drag artists who offend you, so don't go trying to hide behind a cloak of feminism and women's rights. You slipped up and gave the game away by calling female performers 'actresses'. We can see you.

Tankflop · 10/02/2026 18:20

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 18:00

You read the entire thread from beginning to end in two minutes?

Show quote history

I had already read it all.
Why make incorrect assumptions.

Now please could you point to the transphobia, thank you

Original poster
SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 18:16

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 18:03

Your opinion on imposing your choice of outdated language onto the acting profession is - er - interesting. Surely it should be for the performers themselves to decide what they'd like to be called.

Show quote history

I'm not imposing my choice of word on anyone.
I've already said people are free to call themselves whatever they like.
Some actresses, probably in my age bracket, don't have an issue with the term at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 18:05

TempestTost · 10/02/2026 13:05

The whole point is that it is topsy turvey.

I'd like to see the principal male actor go back to being a young woman which supports that element of the panto.

Why would anyone want Prince Charming to be played by a grown woman?
(other than men?)

What about young girls going to see Cinderella?
I found it utterly bizarre as a child that the Prince was a grown woman old enough to be my mother.
What girl wants their mother to play Prince Charming?

I only found out much later why it happened at all - for the male gaze.

Bringing it back makes no sense whatsoever.

OP posts:
taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 18:03

SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 17:49

I'm older so I'm sticking with "actress" which I don't consider to be an insult any more than the word "Princess". It's borrowed from French where every noun is either masculine or feminine, ditto for Spanish & Italian and lots of other languages we borrow from.

Show quote history

Your opinion on imposing your choice of outdated language onto the acting profession is - er - interesting. Surely it should be for the performers themselves to decide what they'd like to be called.

CarefullyCuratedFurniture · 10/02/2026 18:01

This is the stupidest thread on here this week! Honestly...

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 10/02/2026 18:01

SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 17:55

That's their choice and I have no objection to any actress calling herself an actor. However, I'm sure none would refuse an Oscar for best actress...

Show quote history

You haven’t answered the question.

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 18:00

Tankflop · 10/02/2026 15:21

No it hasn’t. Please could you point out what it is?

Show quote history

You read the entire thread from beginning to end in two minutes?

Original poster
SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 17:55

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 10/02/2026 17:52

And if female actors don’t want to be referred to as actresses? Would you respect that?

Show quote history

That's their choice and I have no objection to any actress calling herself an actor. However, I'm sure none would refuse an Oscar for best actress...

OP posts:
SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 10/02/2026 17:52

SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 17:49

I'm older so I'm sticking with "actress" which I don't consider to be an insult any more than the word "Princess". It's borrowed from French where every noun is either masculine or feminine, ditto for Spanish & Italian and lots of other languages we borrow from.

Show quote history

And if female actors don’t want to be referred to as actresses? Would you respect that?

Original poster
SpringTimeIsRingTime · 10/02/2026 17:49

taxi4ballet · 09/02/2026 20:40

You are calling them 'actresses'? Oh dear.🙄

That's pretty outdated, and some people find it denigrating. The majority of people in the performing arts use the gender-neutral 'actor' these days.

Show quote history

I'm older so I'm sticking with "actress" which I don't consider to be an insult any more than the word "Princess". It's borrowed from French where every noun is either masculine or feminine, ditto for Spanish & Italian and lots of other languages we borrow from.

OP posts:
Tankflop · 10/02/2026 15:51

IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · 10/02/2026 15:46

Tankflop - as you've never posted on any other thread, can you clarify whether you
a) joined specifically because somehow you heard about this thread;
b) are a previous poster to this thread but name changed to carry on your wind up; or
c) are being unbelievably obtuse?

Ok, it’s a bit rude of you.
I name change regularly.

Honestly I think you are being very rude

IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · 10/02/2026 15:46

Tankflop - as you've never posted on any other thread, can you clarify whether you
a) joined specifically because somehow you heard about this thread;
b) are a previous poster to this thread but name changed to carry on your wind up; or
c) are being unbelievably obtuse?

Tankflop · 10/02/2026 15:21

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 15:19

Read the entire thread in one sitting. That should solve the puzzle for you. 🙂

Show quote history

No it hasn’t. Please could you point out what it is?

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 15:19

Tankflop · 10/02/2026 15:17

Where?

Show quote history

Read the entire thread in one sitting. That should solve the puzzle for you. 🙂

Tankflop · 10/02/2026 15:17

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 15:12

I despair. This thread isn't about giving women opportunities in the theatre. It was never intended to be.

The homophobia and transphobia shown by some posters on this thread under the guise of feminism is quite staggering. There. I've said it.

Where?

Tankflop · 10/02/2026 15:13

IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · 10/02/2026 14:32

For all your experience and expertise Tankflop why do you keep referring to principle boy and not principal boy?

Oops sorry I am dyslexic.

taxi4ballet · 10/02/2026 15:12

I despair. This thread isn't about giving women opportunities in the theatre. It was never intended to be.

The homophobia and transphobia shown by some posters on this thread under the guise of feminism is quite staggering. There. I've said it.

IdentifyingAsAWoollyMammoth · 10/02/2026 14:32

For all your experience and expertise Tankflop why do you keep referring to principle boy and not principal boy?

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