There’s nothing quite like a traditional pantomime for engaging, entertaining and uniting their audiences. We enthusiastically cheer on the hero or heroine, we delight in ‘booing’ the villain of the story and the Pantomime Dame leaves us in stitches. We love the silly humour and – if it can work on two levels, one for the adults and one for the children – all the better!
Across the county our theatres are gearing up for another sell-out season. And no wonder – these are feel-good shows that the whole family can get behind. We chat to some of the key names appearing in December 2024 to find out why panto has such broad appeal.
Sophie Ladds, Towngate Theatre
You're appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk this year. What are you looking forward to most about the role?
I’ve done Jack and the Beanstalk a few times over the years, twice playing Jill (partner of Jack) and then the Giant’s wife. This time I’m still the baddie but I’m not his wife – more the sidekick of the Giant – so it’s a new take on the ‘baddie’ in this particular story.
Congratulations on being nominated twice for the best villain at the Great British Panto Awards. What do you think is so special about the role of a pantomime villain?
Being the villain is the most fun to play in my opinion. With so many children in the audiences, I love seeing how invested they are. Sometimes they will be screaming so loudly at me we can barely hear each other on stage. For children it’s a bit like being on a rollercoaster. They are scared, but love that they’re scared at the same time. As the baddie I always think you need the right mix of humour, while also being evil, and I love the interaction with the audience.
What is your background in acting?
I trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre school and since then have done a mix of television and theatre. I’ve been really lucky to work with some amazing people over the years and play such contrasting characters.
There’s too many to choose from! Last year I played Wicked Stepmother and Fairy, which was brilliant as I got to perform both good and bad, but I think my absolute favourite has to be Hook. I’m so lucky at Basildon because they allow me to play characters I probably wouldn’t get the opportunity to play otherwise, as they are usually played by men.
This is the 15th year you’ll be appearing in Basildon. What is it that appeals to you about panto?
Panto is such a magical time. Last year I was stopped by a family who had been coming to us for 15 years with three generations. It’s also the first experience for many children of going to the theatre and the excitement on their faces is wonderful to see. I love that you never quite know what someone in the audience might say – no show is every exactly the same – and you’re constantly kept on your toes.
Given the live nature of panto, there must be times where things haven’t quite gone to plan. Is there a particularly memorable event you can share with us?
There are so many – one that springs to mind is the year I was Hook. I had one scene where I was hidden on the set for the entirety of the previous scene so I couldn’t move. It was the end of a 13-show week and I suddenly realised I’d forgotten my hook. I made one of the Lost Boys (also hidden in the truck), crawl out of the back, run to my dressing room and bring the hook back and he made it with about three seconds to spare. The audience was none the wiser!
You’re appearing at Towngate Theatre - have you spent much time in Essex and - if so, where are your favourite places in the county?
I live in Brentwood and love the fact that that within five minutes of the High Street you can be in a country park with deer running around you. I have a Chocolate Labrador so spend a lot of time enjoying the wonderful walks in the area.
Aside from appearing in panto, what other festive plans do you have this year?
This question made me smile as when you’re in panto, you don’t really have festive plans. My fiancé Darren Day is also in panto so we will spend six weeks facetiming each other from the dressing rooms! This year he is in Witley Bay so we are currently trying to work out how we can be together on Christmas Day as we both have two shows on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. I think we will book somewhere halfway between our theatres so that we can be together and then I imagine our festive plans will be watching lots of Christmas telly before heading off to carry on with panto.
Dilara Green, Harlow Playhouse
You’ll be appearing as Tommy the Cat in Dick Whittington this year. What are you most looking forward to about the role?
I am indeed playing Tommy the Cat – an upgrade from being cast as Rat Number Three at primary school! Dick Whittington is a classic tale but it has been rewritten to put Harlow at its core, which makes it even more special!
I’m looking forward to working with such a talented cast and crew – from a comic/dame duo who have been entertaining Essex for a decade, to the exceptional principal cast and dancers who put my Cha Cha Slide to absolute shame, not forgetting the crew, the company I am keeping during this period truly is one for the books.
What is your background in acting?
I graduated two years ago from Rose Bruford Drama School and have been working as an actor ever since. My love for acting was first ignited by amateur pantomime productions I was involved in as a child. From my first experience as a buzzy bee ensemble member in Jack and the Beanstalk, to Belle in Beauty and the Beast, it allowed me to grow into the performer I am today. I have since appeared professionally as a Christmas Fairy in Santa in Love, Mowgli in The Jungle Book and most recently Tinkerbell in Peter Pan to name a few! These roles have been so much fun; however, this year’s production of Dick Whittington marks my very first professional Christmas pantomime and I am so excited!
There are so many panto roles I would love to do – including that of the pantomime villain. Having said that, as someone barely pushing 5ft 2” I’m not sure how scary I would be, but it would be fun to try!
What is it that appeals to you most about panto?
It epitomises what it means to be a community. It is a symbol of peace and joy. People of all ages, backgrounds and shoe sizes coming together to allow themselves to laugh, cry, boo and cheer. During a pantomime, we unite as a community to defeat villains, and we all leave as heroes who have saved the day by working together.
Have you spent much time in Essex and – if so, where are your favourite places in the county?
I was born in Romford, so Essex is my home! Performing at Harlow Playhouse is even more special because of this. The Playhouse contributes to the community all year round and has such great initiatives to provide support to people in the arts and making theatre accessible. My Mum was born in Dagenham, myself in Harold Wood hospital – I love being from Essex! You are only ever a bus ride away from a bustling city centre or one of the most beautiful country walks.
Aside from appearing in panto, what other festive plans do you have this year?
I’ll be travelling to support my friends in their panto productions and studying for my Master’s Degree in Law. It is my ambition to play a part in regulating the theatre industry, so the smiley faces you see on stage have a greater sense of stability all year round with their careers. Obtaining a degree is step one of that mission. It does mean that I will occasionally rock up to lectures dressed as a cat but I’d say it is definitely worth it! Christmas Day is a day off from panto, so I’ll be tucking into a delicious roast dinner with my nearest and dearest!
Mike Nolan from Bucks Fizz, Braintree Institute
We can’t wait to see you perform as Idle Jack in Dick Whittington this year in Braintree – what do you think you’ll enjoy about the experience?
Panto is such good fun but I still panic when I’m doing it and there’s no guarantee I’ll stick to the script! I’ve worked with John Pritchard before, and he makes a fantastic Pantomime Dame.
How many pantos have you performed in previously and what would you say is your favourite role to-date?
I’ve performed in about 18 pantos over the years and always enjoy playing Buttons in Cinderella – it’s such a fantastic role!
My first panto was a bit of a nightmare though. I’d spent time in Asia with Bucks Fizz beforehand and managed to catch a bug when travelling home that saw me out for the count for a few days. When I finally felt well enough to attend rehearsals, everyone knew their lines and what they were doing, so the pressure was on. It’s horrible when things don’t quite go to plan, and I never want to let anyone down so I work doubly hard to get things right.
Whenever I performed with Bucks Fizz, we always had plenty of time to rehearse and knew our most popular songs inside out and back to front. Panto is totally different and I try not to let stage fright get the better of me. I’ve already got the script for this year, which I’ve been reading at every opportunity. However, we only get two weeks of rehearsals before we’re on stage in front of the live audience.
I understand you spent some of your youth in Essex – where did you grow up and do you spend much time in the county now?
I used to live in the village of Rainham, not too far from Romford. I spent about 20 years here before moving to London. While I pop back occasionally to see family, and am very much looking forward to spending time on stage this festive period at Braintree Institute, London is now home.
What do you think about your co-stars this year? Have you met them before and what are you looking forward to most about working with them?
I’ve worked with John Pritchard, who plays the Dame for about 10 years, and have worked with Jimmy Johnston before too. Jimmy’s just been filming the live-action version of Snow White with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, which will be released in 2025. He and I have the perfect love/hate relationship – there’s lots of banter and we’re only too happy to send each other up. There’s always such a nice atmosphere when working on panto – most of the cast start as strangers but end up as friends – it’s a joyful experience. Despite coming in as a high profile member of the cast – someone who the audience may already be familiar with – I always see myself as part of the team and it’s so rewarding seeing how much the audience enjoys the performance.
Aside from appearing in panto, what other plans do you have for the festive period this year?
I’ll be performing my last ever gig with Bucks Fizz on November 20 this year at Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks, which is already sold out. The girls (Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston) are to continue with two new faces, and I wish them all the best. I’ve been in the band for 44 years and have had some incredible times but it’s now time for a change. For the first year ever, I have no firm plans after Christmas. I’ll probably go away somewhere to rest the brain after the panto run ends on 31st December and I’m very much looking forward to what the future may bring.
Lori Haley Fox, Chelmsford Theatre
You’ll be appearing as the Wicked Queen in Snow White this year. What are you looking forward to most about the role?
I can’t wait to join the cast of Snow White this Christmas in such a wonderful city. Playing the Wicked Queen is an unusual one for me as the villain role is not something I’ve taken on before, but I think it will be fun to play and I’m looking forward to the interactions with the audience!
What do you think is so special about the role of a pantomime villain?
I think that panto villains create a lot of emotion in the audience and, although often scary, children really love them. It’s the booing and hissing and the interaction with the audience that makes panto so unique, and the villains really bring out that audience participation. It seems that panto villains can get away with almost anything – they’re funny, extravagant, unpredictable, evil and flamboyant – and that makes them so much fun.
What is your background in acting?
I grew up in America and my background is in musical theatre. I’ve done Mamma Mia on Broadway and the Sondheim Birthday Celebration at the Lincoln Centre, as well as a not very well-known show called Bombs Away. Since moving to the UK in 1995, I’ve done some West End work including Hairspray at the London Coliseum and, more recently, Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre.
What is it that appeals to you most about panto?
They’re so steeped in tradition and an integral part of British culture so I’m excited to finally be a part of that this year!
What’s more, there’s nothing better than performing in front of a live audience. I’ve been pretty lucky and have done a bit of television and film, but it’s not necessarily immediately rewarding, whereas theatre is instant. You get direct feedback from the audience, whether it’s booing you because you’re the evil one, or it’s applause and laughter – it’s just so rewarding to be part of that in real time.
Have you spent much time in Essex previously?
I’m based in South East London and must confess I haven’t spent a lot of time travelling around the county. Having said that, I appeared in Hot Flush with the wonderful Lesley Joseph in Chelmsford Theatre back in 2014. I also have very dear friends in Brentwood who I visit often, so I’m not a complete stranger!
I recently appeared in Sister Act in the West End alongside the lovely Ruth Jones of Gavin and Stacey fame, so I’ve learnt a bit about Essex from her too!
Aside from appearing in panto, what other festive plans do you have this year?
Because I won’t have time to fly to the States and back between shows to see family, I’ll be celebrating the holidays with close friends, which will be a different but wonderful experience.
