The choreographer and director speaks to LLLC about starring in pantomimes and Christmas traditions.
What constitutes your idea of a perfect Christmas?A day off, number one, so I look forward to that. Friends and family and the joy it brings. I’m a traditionalist so I like a roast turkey with all the trimmings.
Any favourite festive traditions?Stuffing! A roast without stuffing is not on. That’s my piece de resistance, people like my stuffing more than the entire day itself. Yes, it’s that delicious!
Why do you think pantomime remains so popular, such an integral part of Christmas for many people? It’s because it brings people together, just like Strictly. That’s why Strictly is popular too, it becomes a tradition. People like that, they feel safe, they know when they go to a panto that the adults will be entertained with innuendo and that the kids will love it. This is interactive theatre, it’s just brilliant.
And if you could play any panto role in the future who would it ideally be?I wouldn’t mind playing another man again as I play women a lot! When I played Captain Hook it was lovely because I didn’t have to wear heels or a corset.. it was the most comfortable Christmas I’ve ever had!
Finally, if, like Cinders, you had a Fairy Godmother’s magic wand to transform just one thing at Christmas time what would it be and why?I would bring my whole family over first class from Australia. They’d love that, they could have a cold Christmas rather than a hot one on the beach!
Cinderella continues to play at the New Victoria Theatre Woking until the until the 6th January 2019. To book tickets visit ATG Tickets.