Dames Find Fame in the HfC Hall of Dame

HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO, ENGLAND - Nov 13 2024 : Pantomime dames from across Cornwall enjoy an evening on the Cornwall Playhouse stage in advance of the opening of the Cornwall Playhouse Production of Jack And The Beanstalk.. Photographed by HfC photographer in residence Hugh Hastings.

When we started looking at ideas to tell you lovely lot about our very own panto, Jack and the Beanstalk,  we thought that profiling some local Cornish dames would be a fun way to get your attention. Little did we know that this idea would grow, almost as quickly as the beanstalk itself, into not only a beautiful celebration of some of Kernow's finest amateur (certainly not amateur in their dedication to the work!) panto performers, but also the genesis of a community.  From debut Dames to seasoned veterans, this very special group of people brought a giant sprinkle of magic and warmth into our building throughout the season and reminded us of how effectively our region knits rural and often-isolated communities together through triumphant cultural offerings in village halls and other community venues throughout Cornwall. 

We've loved welcoming them into the building. From showing them the ropes backstage to giving a masterclass to a BBC journalist, handing out mince pies on press night to leading a conga through the auditorium, this lot have been up for everything! Join us in celebrating them and all that they represent - Cornish spirit, our local glittering pantoland, and that little bit of magic that happens when a community comes together. 

Let's take a look...

Day One - Edward Rowe
Who else could kick off the run than our very own Maid Trott from Jack and the Beanstalk. It's the Kernow King!

Day Two - Charlotte Ward
When she’s not pinching the limelight from our technical team at HfC, Charlotte Ward can be found playing Lady Starkey in the 2025 production of Peter Pan with the Trewoon Village Players. 

Day Three - Christopher Gray
Chris is entering his third year of Damehood. You can find him playing Widow Twankey in Aladdin, at St Stephen Community Centre. 

"Being a dame gives you the freedom to explore new ways of comedy and who doesn’t like a guy in a dress."

Day Four - Chris Kellow
Chris' favourite dame to play is Mother Goose for the most ridiculous amount of costumes! Chris performs with Bugle Pantomime Group and has done 13 Pantos and counting. 

Day Five - Chris Lobb and Ollie Allen
Chris Lobb (left) can be found strutting his stuff as the flamboyant and flirty Dotty Dimple at Fraddon village hall in Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates.

Ollie Allen (right) is a real Dame veteran, with 10 years under his belt. Behold Dame Dixie Normous at The Wild Arts Theatre Society (TWATS). 

Day Six - Ciaran Clarke
Ciaran Clarke performs at an annual Christmas show, Christmas Time. Despite what his rather fetching wig would have you believe, this show is far from bog standard!  

Day Seven - Darren William and Peter Phillis 
Darren William (left) has been performing as a Dame for St Blazey pantomime for nearly twenty years! He believes the Dame is the glue that holds the panto all together, and who are we to disagree?

Peter Phillis (right) will be brushing up his best dame at the Flushing pantomime in The Parrots of Penzance Panto.

"Being a Dame allows me to bring a little extra laughter to the audience and it gives me such a buzz." 

Day Eight - Dave Taylor
Dave Taylor isn’t usually found on HfC’s scenery fly floor, but doesn't he just fit right in?

It was Dave's debut this year playing Madame Fifi in the St Enoder Pantomime production of Beauty and the Beast. Dave tells us his daughter has been in Panto for over half of her life, and she never thought he would join her! "I just wish I had done it earlier. Just wait for next years show..." (oh yes we will!) 

Day Nine - Jason Dawes and Jamie Pascoe
Jason Dawes (left) stars as Lobelia the Cook! Annette Hillman's The Princess and the Pea is on at The Mills Hall, Carharrack. Jason comes from a long line of Panto Dames, with his gran, dad and uncle all having donned the dress of Damehood.

Jamie Pascoe (right) is busy coming up with a Dame-name for himself... Dame Edith, perhaps? Jamie performs with C.A.P.E (Cape Amateur Performers Entertainers) based in St Just, showing The Incredible Adventures of Sinbad the Sailor .

Day Ten - Jonathan Groves
Jonathan Groves has performed with Amity in Falmouth and Carnon Downs Drama Group in The Sword and the Stone. He has dabbled in Damehood for 10 years, and recieved a CDA award for dedication! 

Day Eleven - Paul Jones
Paul Jones, known by Panto punters as Dame Helga Van Trump, is on his 5th year as a Dame. Paul plays at the St Dennis Panto with the St Dennis Variety Group.

Day Twelve - Ross Harvey
Ross Harvey as Widow Twankey performs in Wadebridge, and has previously performed as an ugly sister in Cinderella. Ross started in the community theatre group as a way to support the town and spread a bit of joy with likeminded people. 

And that's a wrap - don't forget to support your local Dame and boo your local baddie!

Whilst you're in a panto-mood, be sure to book for this years' at HfC: Aladdin.