A Very British Tradition: The History of Drag Acts
As we head into the festive season, theatres across the UK are getting ready for one of our most beloved traditions: the Christmas pantomime. And no panto would be complete without one iconic character – the dame. Loud, larger-than-life, hilarious, and usually played by a man, the pantomime dame is one of the most recognisable forms of drag in British culture.
But where did this tradition come from? And with so many conversations happening around gender right now, what’s the difference between drag and being trans? Here’s a simple guide that cuts through the noise.
A Short History of Drag in the UK
Drag has been part of British performance for centuries. Long before RuPaul or modern drag brunches, we had a rich tradition of gender-bending theatrical roles.
Pantomime Dames
The pantomime dame emerged in the 1800s, growing out of older forms of theatre where actors would swap gender roles for comedy. The dame is always exaggerated – big dresses, huge wigs, over-the-top makeup, and plenty of wink-wink jokes. Their job is to entertain, not to convince anyone they’re actually a woman.
Some of the most famous dames over the years include Les Dawson, Danny La Rue, and more recently Ian McKellen and Christopher Biggins. The dame is a celebration of silliness and joy – very different from drag queens in the nightclub scene, but still part of the same tradition of playing with gender to entertain.
Music Hall and Variety
In the 19th and early 20th century, music hall acts often featured male performers playing female roles. This wasn’t seen as shocking – it was part of the fun. These acts paved the way for drag entertainment as we know it today.
Post-War Drag and Cabaret
After the Second World War, drag acts became more visible in cabaret clubs, with performers like Danny La Rue becoming household names. Drag in this period mixed glamour and comedy, focusing on performance rather than identity.
Modern Drag
From the 1990s onward, queer venues helped drag evolve into a more diverse and expressive art form. Today, drag can be camp, glamorous, political, edgy, or just plain funny. Shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race have taken drag into mainstream culture -but drag has always had deep roots in British entertainment.
Drag vs. Being Trans: Understanding the Difference
With all the talk online about gender, it’s really important to draw a clear line:
Drag is a Performance.
-
It’s a costume, a character, a form of entertainment.
-
Drag performers dress up—often in an exaggerated way—for the purpose of a show.
-
Many drag queens and kings are not trans at all. Many are gay men or women who enjoy the creativity and performance aspect.
-
When the wig comes off, the performer goes back to their everyday gender.
Being Trans is an Identity.
-
Being transgender has nothing to do with performing.
-
It’s about who someone is, not who they dress up as.
-
A trans person’s gender is real and valid. It’s not an act, not a costume, and not temporary.
-
Some trans people do drag, some don’t—just like anyone else.
In short: drag exaggerates gender for entertainment; being trans is living as your true gender.
Why the Difference Matters
Lately, drag and trans identities have been incorrectly connected in public debates, often by people looking to cause confusion. But these are two completely separate things.
Understanding the difference helps us:
-
celebrate our theatre traditions without making assumptions about people’s identities
-
support trans people who face very real discrimination, abuse, and violence
-
keep pantomime season joyful and inclusive for everyone
A Festive Reminder
So as the lights go up and the curtain rises this Christmas, remember that the pantomime dame is a proud part of British drag history—playful, silly, and full of heart. Drag brings us fun and joy, while trans people bring authenticity and diversity to our communities.
Both have their place. Both deserve celebration. And both remind us that gender has always had room for creativity, expression, and a touch of sparkle.