Pantomime Dames Prepare For The Panto Season

WORTHING, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Ian Mowat, attaches his pink sparkly eyelashes beneath his eyelid, as he becomes the character of Dame Trott in "Jack and The Beanstalk at the Connaught Theatre on December 11, 2013 in Worthing, England. Ian has played the role of the pantomime dame for six years, in a range of glamorous dresses made by costumier James Maciver. He describes putting on the costume as being "like becoming a different person". Pantomime is a Christmas tradition in the UK that dates back over 500 years to beginnings in the 16th Century Italian street theatre Commedia dell'arte, and uses physical theatre, innuendo and slapstick comedy to tell fairy stories. The central cross-dressing role of the Pantomime Dame, usually a mother, queen or widow, is a kind hearted figure, played by middle-aged men in large colourful dresses, and vivid, exaggerated make-up. The Dame emerged in the music halls of 19th century Victorian London and continues to this day, evolving and becoming more glamorous each year. (Photo by Mary Turner/Getty Images)