Here’s a trailer I found for a panto at one of our local theaters:
Source: Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime - Worthing Theatres and Museum
It looks like tickets range from £10 to £26 depending on seat, with only a very small reduction for children (the principle audience of course.)
You’ll see that the dame is indeed played by a man; but the tradition of the male lead being played by a woman seems to have pretty much died out round these parts.
They’re a Xmas staple, pretty much guaranteed to sell out, and pretty much every theater puts them on - it’s what they rely on for revenue to keep them profitable. So far as I’m aware it’s just a group of actors brought together for the show rather than a troupe. Two or even three shows a day is the norm.
There are certain - uh, tropes that always occur - children shouting back Oh No She Isn’t (or similar) at the provoking villain; or Look Behind You when the hero is in imminent danger. That sort of audience interplay.
Anything else about Christmas pantos you’d like to ask me?
j