principal boy

British  

noun

1. the leading male role in a pantomime, played by a woman

---

Example Sentences

The queen's "Bond-girl" acting role, for example, can be traced to Elizabeth's little-known teenage penchant for amateur theatricals at Windsor Castle, when she apparently used to play the principal boy.

From Reuters • Jul. 29, 2012

The "principal boy" had just skipped on to the stage.

From A Christmas Garland by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

The new principal boy, Mr. Eric Marshall, woos his princess with a romantic air and a mellow tenor, in which emotion somewhat overshadows tone.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 5, 1916 by Seaman, Owen, Sir

I cannot exactly call her a "rival" of my sister Kate's, for Kate was the "principal lady" or "star," and Henrietta Hodson the "soubrette," and, in burlesque, the "principal boy."

From The Story of My Life Recollections and Reflections by Terry, Ellen

And the dresses are a revolt against the stuffy tradition that made Rosalind a sort of principal boy….

From Penny Plain by Douglas, O.