What is a pantomime villain?

In a pantomime, the villain is a stock character who plays the antagonist to the hero. Typically, the villain is a man or woman of powerful position or high birth. The villain may possess the traits of cruelty, cunning, and ruthlessness. They are often portrayed as cowardly, and at the resolution of the story, often find themselves the subject of humiliation or punishment.

While the villain may take on serious qualities, often they are presented in a comedic and flamboyant fashion, often portrayed as an over-the-top, larger-than-life character, drawing much of their physical humor from slapstick and visual comedy.

A villain will commonly be found alongside a henchman, who may also display characteristics of incompetence or stupidity.

Examples of pantomime villains include Captain Hook from Peter Pan and the infamous Abanazer from Aladdin.