A panto dame who performs LGBTQ+ stories to kids says “I’m a role model” despite facing “backlash and homophobic abuse by trolls”.
Mama G, 40, has been in pantomime for 19 years and a storyteller dame for six-and-a-half after “falling in love with the art” since childhood.
The storytelling dame’s shows have “developed and grown” after discovering that “both kids and adults enjoy flamboyant storytelling performances”.
She has toured around the UK, New York, and Canada performing in schools, nurseries, and libraries – and even on the stage of Britain’s Got Talent in 2022.
The dame’s performances frequently include “telling LGBTQ+ stories with a focus on inclusion and encouraging kids to be who they are – and to educate parents”.
But as a result, Mama G has “faced serious homophobic and harmful abuse” including being called a “groomer” and “accused of indoctrinating kids to be gay”.
A pantomime dame is a traditional role in British pantomime – and is part of the theatrical tradition of travesty portrayal of female characters by male actors in drag.
Mama, from Greenwich, London, said: “Being a dame has made me a stronger person and the comments I receive are even more reason why I should be doing what I’m doing.
“I’d rather get called these disgusting comments than my audience and I’m way more of a confident person than I was because of it.
“I’m proud that I can be a role model for kids, educate adults about LGBTQ+, and help make the world a better place.”
Mama G attended the Rose Bruford Drama School, aged 18.
It wouldn’t be until her third year of Drama School that the performer would start a 19-year-long career in panto after landing a role as an assistant stage manager with small roles, later securing her first dame role at 24.
Mama G said: “I wanted to do panto – I had to do panto.
“I wrote to every panto producer until one of them gave me an audition.
“Ever since I was a kid, I have loved the pantomime.
“It was what excited me the most.
“So when I landed my first role, performing in panto became a habit for me.”
Six-and-a-half years ago, Mama G produced her own panto, titled ‘Mother Goose’ that originated in the 19th century – and is about a goose named Priscilla who lays golden eggs.
The story was the first to include a dame as the lead character – and where Mama G “first experimented with storytelling”.
She said: “I used this as an opportunity to combine my passion for panto with my passion for inclusivity and encouraging others to be who they are.
“Many of my performances now focus on LGBTQ+ stories due to its suppressive history and the need to educate people.
“A lot of adults when they were younger weren’t exposed to LGBTQ+ characters and same-sex couples and families.
“Small acts like this I believe are what change the world.”
The performances feature Mama G – “a mother-like character” – dressed in extravagant blonde coiffure wigs, sported by her iconic blue eyeshadow and decked head-to-toe in technicolour clothing.
The dame sings songs, dances, performs comedy sketches and tells stories to various age groups – both children and adults.
Mama G added: “Despite the copious support I receive, there is still backlash.
“People have told me what I’m doing is wrong and that we shouldn’t exist.
“I’ve even been called a groomer and paedophile, mainly from online trolls – and I have even been accused of indoctrinating kids to be gay.
“I’ve been protested a few times outside the venue of my shows because people think I shouldn’t perform in front of children and that it’s inappropriate.”
On November 3, 2022, Mama G was hosting a children’s storytime event at Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli, Wales when a group of protesters gathered outside the venue.
The group held placards which read “parents against drag” whilst dozens of parents and children attended the free Gwynedd Council event.
She added: “I remember one time in particular when the protesters made it inside the venue and were giving out flyers with information on why they thought what I was doing was wrong.
“A lot of the flyers had bible quotes that loosely pertain to what they were upset about – and it was the LGBTQ+ aspect.”
Mama G described how these events often led to her “self-doubting” her practice and wondering if what she was doing was “a good thing”.
She said: “I think it’s weird that people protest these harmless events.
“Even though it’s not a ‘drag’ performance, it shouldn’t matter either way.
“Drag queens and dames are on different sides of the same coin and we should be in full support of both.
“Pantomimes are family-friendly with terrible jokes and fabulous dress and drag shows can be too.
“As long as the shows are advertised right and parents and children know what they are watching and are aware, a lot of them have the best time.
“Children are eager, singing aloud and joining in, and parents too.
“The comments I receive are even more reason why I should be doing what I’m doing – and I’m willing to be the one who takes the abuse on.
“It’s really important that children understand that everyone has the right to be who they are.
“If everyone grew up like that then the world would be a much nicer, less angry place.”
Since then, Mama G has “grown in confidence” and has “become a stronger person”, saying that “if you’re reinforcing people about who they are, and to be the amazing person they are, then you start to believe it yourself”.
Alongside the LGBTQ+ stories she performs, the dame has written one of her own set to publish October 10, titled ‘Oh Yes I Am!’.
Mama G said: “The story relates to me and my journey of expression as a child.
“It touches on difficult subjects about a child who is discovering themselves and will help guide parents.
“I want my platform to keep growing for adults and kids and want people to understand that panto is for everyone and you can be whoever you want to be.”
