In pantomime, a principal boy role is the young male protagonist of the play, traditionally played by a young actress in boy's clothes. Matilda Alice Powles ( May 13, 1864 &ndash September 16, 1952) was an English male impersonator. Pantomime (informally panto) (not to be confused with a Mime artist, referring to a theatrical performer of mime is a performance genre traditionally found An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works
The tradition grew out of laws restricting the use of child actors in London theatre, and the responsibility carried by such lead roles. The practice of having a female play the principal boy was becoming less common in the late 20th century, as further outlets were sought for the talents of young male pop stars and actors. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on
Although not written as a pantomime, Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up is often produced as one, and in either format the tradition of a female principal boy has continued. Peter Pan or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up and Peter and Wendy are the stage play and novel (respectively which tell the well-known story of