pantomime horse
Theatrical quadruped disguise
A pantomime horse is a theatrical costume representing a horse, worn by two performers—one as the front legs and head, the other as the back legs and hindquarters.
The costume is a staple of British pantomime and comedy, its awkward coordination played for laughs.
The term extends to any clumsy two-person collaboration: The project felt like a pantomime horse, with neither of us knowing what the other was doing.
- harlequinadeComic pantomime with stock characters
- costumeClothing for portrayal
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
theater · physical comedy · silly walks · British tradition · theatrical tradition · performance · annual · Punch and Judy · act · double act · amateur dramatics · skit · entertainment · character · clowning · comic timing · stage business · farce
- pantomimedame, principal boy, ugly sisters, behind you, audience participation
- Pantomime Charactersdame, principal boy, villain, fairy godmother, wicked queen