Pantomime dame

It is part of the theatrical tradition of travesti portrayal of female characters by male actors in drag.

Dame characters are often played either in an extremely camp style, or else by men acting butch in women's clothing.

They usually wear heavy make up and big hair, have exaggerated physical features, and perform in an over-the-top style.

Characters who are played as pantomime dames are often, though not exclusively, older, matronly women.

Although often warm and sympathetic characters, dames may also be employed as comic antagonists, such as with the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella.