Christopher Biggins is set to explore the history of the pantomime dame in a unique documentary for BBC Radio 2: musical-inspired There Is Nothing Like a Dame will be broadcast on Christmas Day this year, and will include archive material from actors who have played dames throughout pantomime history, including
Danny La Rue. There will also be interviews with
Clive Rowe, who this year appears in Hackney Empire’s pantomime, and on-screen star Barbara Windsor.
Biggins will talk about why dames “shouldn’t be women” and why Mother Goose is the “Hamlet in the world of the dame”. He has also said he would be revealing to listeners just how important the role is and how pantomimes whisk all ages – from toddlers and grandparents alike – to a land of make-believe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hb3thn-OPg
Radio 2’s Christmas line-up also includes two shows hosted by Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders – on Boxing day and New Year’s Eve – and a programme about Glenn Miller hosted by Len Goodman, which will air on 22 December. Fans look set to be in for lots of festive treats! .
Having this resource for musical theatre fans will provide a wealth of enjoyment, knowledge and anecdotes for listeners as a welcome addition to their interest in musical theatre and the festive season. These programmes are positive steps towards bringing the musical theatre world further into the limelight and championing all it does for fans old and new.
Image credited to David Saunder's Flickr account