The panto season is upon us. Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! William Gadsby Peet catches up with some of the shooting stars coming to a theatre near you…
Sandra Martin
You’re performing in Aladdin at Maidenhead. Are you looking forward to it?
It’s my first pantomime, so I’m very excited. I’ve had a lot of advice from people like Russell Grant. He’s my friend and we speak daily, so he’s been giving me little tips, cos he’s done about 32 pantomimes.
Any particular pearls of wisdom?
The main thing he said was to be yourself and just enjoy it – go with the flow, you get me? Everybody knows that I keep it real, I don’t have to act and that’s why I’ve got to where I’ve got. I’ve got butterflies though! I’ve seen my outfit; it’s the same one Alison Hammond wore. I’m wearing it as well and I’m proud, cos we’re both big ladies innit.
Are you a fan of pantomime yourself?
No! I’ve never been to a pantomime before in my life, neither have my kids or grandkids. I’ve never done pantomime, but as my character is so wild, I thought I’d pick it up, you get me?
Are your family going to be coming down to support you?
You don’t even know! I’ve got a fan base, my Facebook and Twitter followers, cousins, family – everybody wants a discount but I’ve said, ‘Sorry babes, I ain’t got it’. But everyone is coming to see me. It is going to be mad cos I’m going to be on stage!
Did you enjoy your time on Gogglebox?
Big time! It made me famous. I wouldn’t say I’m a top celebrity cos I don’t do red carpet and I sit on the bus. I’m still low profile, I’m a people person and the main thing that I’ve got from all of this is a desire to do charity work; helping everyone. So that’s my main thing now.
Who would you say are some of the most interesting celebrities you’ve met?
Prince Philip! He asked me: ‘Do you live here in Windsor?’ And I went: ‘No babe, I live in Brixton’ and that went viral on the radio, with all the media talking about how the queen bee had come to Windsor. When I went to pay my £40 to go and view Windsor Castle, they went ‘Excuse me, The Queen said you can go in for free,’ so Prince Philip was top of tops.
Did you enjoy your partner in crime Sandi Bogle’s appearance on Big Brother?
I was on the side twice with Rylan and they nearly put me in the house, you know. I spoke to The Sun newspaper when Sandi left and I told them if I went into that house, I’d win. They asked me why I was going to win, so I told them that when I go in there, I’m going to be a lesbian. I’m going to turn lesbian just to get more votes. Kiss a girl for £100,000? Wouldn’t you? Would you a kiss a man for £100,000?
Yes, I probably would...
There ya go! You know how it goes in the Big Brother house.
What are some of your favourite shows at the moment?
I’m a big fan of my Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street, I do watch a lot of news, and right now I’m on my politics because it’s so sad what’s going on at the moment. I’ve been thinking about going into politics myself, because I can talk for Britain. Forget Theresa May, I want the public to go into politics; maybe I could be prime minister one day! I think I can help the world, babe, and I’m paying my taxes, so others should too.
Excited for Christmas?
Yeah, but I’m gonna be working innit. I get my day off on Christmas and I’ve got a new boyfriend; we’ve been together one year now, he’s from Birmingham. We’ll be spending our first Christmas together. He’s a chef, so I won’t have to cook.
What would you say would be your ideal Christmas present?
My ideal Christmas present would be my boyfriend going down on one knee and giving me that ring. I’m in love at the moment, and I ain’t been in love for a while!
- Sandra Martin stars as The Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin at the Pearce Suite Theatre in Maidenhead. For more info and to book tickets, visit: themaidenheadpanto.com
Kevin Cruise
What can we look forward to from your performance in Sleeping Beauty?
A masterclass in acting.
You’ve done quite a few pantos now. What’s special about this one?
Who said it was special? I do think this is one of the best scripts we’ve ever had though, and the Kevin Cruise number this year is joyous.
What keeps drawing you back to the world of pantomime?
Money! Only joking. It’s the wonderful and supportive audiences we get through the door at Windsor every year.
You’ve been a local for a few years now. How are you enjoying a landlubber’s life away from the Fishy Rose?
I love the Royal Borough. I’ve lived here now for six years. I try and get involved with things as much as I can. I’ve recently set up a charity called the Royal Borough Theatre Project, which aims to raise funds to buy theatre tickets for sick and disadvantaged children. If your lovely readers want to get involved, the website is theatreproject.org.uk.
Bill Kenwright calls you a ‘Guilty Pleasure’. What’s it been like working with such a legend of musical theatre?
Good old Bill. I love it when he comes in to watch the pantomime. His first words to me are always the same: “Another understated performance, Mr. Cruise.” I did ask if I could be the next Joseph, but he’s been too busy to get back to me on that one. I asked him back in 2012.
You performed for the Prime Minister at Maidenhead Festival last year. Was she a fan?
Well, I was on stage when she arrived. She’s a big Abba fan and I end my set with an Abba medley including Dancing Queen, which she might have enjoyed. Me singing it with my West Country accent might be a different matter though…
If you weren’t the world’s premier cruise ship entertainer, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Oil rig maintenance engineer.
What would be your ideal Christmas present?
Whisky, Lindt Chocolate, cider, Christmas tree decorations – I have a tree in my dressing room. All these and more can be left at the stage door.
Do you and Donald Trump use the same tanning guy?
Mine’s a natural tan, thank you!
Snog, marry, avoid: Piers Morgan, Simon Cowell, Ant & Dec...
Snog everyone, it’s Christmas!
- Kevin Cruise stars as Chester the Jester in Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal in Windsor. For more info and to book tickets, visit: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Simon Webbe
Neale Blackburn
Jack and The Bean Stalk
What can we look forward to from Jack and the Beanstalk?
You can expect an amazing panto with lots of laughter and special effects. There’ll be lots of references to Blue, I’ll obviously be singing some numbers in the show and there’ll be some fun surprises along the way.
This is your third panto. What made you want to come back for more?
I did my first with Biggins a couple of years ago when I played Aladdin and I had a ball. So much so, they asked me back to play Jack. I’ve done various musicals, but with panto it’s really for the kids. The looks on their faces is priceless.
Your second year working with Ashleigh as well. Looking forward to another year of canine capers?
I really am. Backstage in panto you become a family and Ashleigh and I got on so well, it’s great working together again. Sadly we lost Pudsey earlier this year, which I know was devastating for Ashleigh and her family, so we’ll be missing our Puds. But we’ve got Sully, who also starred in our panto last year, so he’ll be back stealing the show.
Excited for the festive period?
I love Christmas, so it’s great being part of the festive period for everyone coming to the panto. We do two shows a day, 12 shows a week, which can take its toll and not leave much time for getting ready for Christmas. I’ll be hitting the high street as much as possible to make sure I’ve got all my presents.
Any ideas for presents for your fellow cast members?
We normally do a company secret Santa, so it depends who I get this year, but I’ll certainly make sure I get something naughty or nice.
Is it weird watching Love Actually and seeing Bill Nighy’s character drawing obscenities above a poster of Blue?
It is a bit strange, but to have my band featured in such an iconic British movie is flattering, so I don’t mind.
What was it like performing on Strictly Come Dancing?
I loved doing Strictly. It was so far out of my comfort zone, but a lot of fun showing viewers I can do more than just sing. That’s why I love doing panto too – it shows I work hard but don’t take myself too seriously.
You’re a bit of a foodie. What are your plans for Christmas dinner this year?
Christmas Day is one of our only days off, so I hope to sleep late and then wake up to enjoy a proper Christmas lunch with my family.
- Simon Webbe stars as Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe. For more info and to book tickets, visit: wycombeswan.co.uk
Paul Morse
When did you first perform?
I first performed as a caterpillar when I was five at school and I was most upset that I was not playing the cabbage. My first professional production was playing dame in panto 13 years ago.
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a farmer for a while. Then, as I got a bit older, I wanted to work with reptiles and do zoology, then finally I wanted to be an actor. Some might say there are similarities in all of those jobs!
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage?
Go to the toilet and put my lipstick on – once I’m in my dresses and the show has started there is no escape. For the last three years, working with Justin Fletcher, we’ve had dressing rooms next door to each other and, as I’m on the way to the stage for my first entrance, I will pop in and see him. As dame you work as a double act with the comic, so it’s important we have a good relationship on and off stage.
Do you have anything in common with the character you are playing in Peter Pan?
I hope not – my dame can be a bit of a monster!
What would be your ideal show to appear in after this one?
I love performing in farce; the fast-paced comedy is really exciting to act. I also love doing Shakespeare and have toured many times in various plays, but I’ve always wanted to be in King Lear.
If you could work with any actor, who would it be?
Judi Dench, Dustin Hoffman or Simon Russell Beale.
What does your perfect Sunday afternoon look like?
A roast dinner and a cold bottle of wine.
What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
Many! I’ve had the power go out twice, stopping the show – I never worked out if it was a comment on my performance. And I do have a story about performing dogs and horses that were in one of my shows, but you’ll have to ask me about it in person.
- Paul Morse stars as Nanny McSmee in Peter Pan at the Hexagon Theatre in Reading. For more info and to book tickets, visit: readingarts.com/hexagon
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