After wowing as Wishee Washee in Aladdin last year, Pete Firman is back to add a touch of magic says, Jane McGowan...
Follow Peter Firman on his journey as he comes back to join the cast of Cinderella as Buttons
Comedy magician Pete Firman has been a regular fixture of TV variety shows and the live comedy circuit for nearly 20 years.
But, in 2017, he embarked on his first panto, playing Muddles in Snow White. He liked it so much that the following year he signed up as Wishee Washee at the New Wimbledon Theatre, winning rave reviews for his routines with his hapless mother, Widow Twanky played by Paul Merton.
He enjoyed the South-West London experience so much that he’s back to take on the role of Buttons in Cinderella, alongside former EastEnder Samantha Womack, opera star Lesley Garrett and ex-Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton.
“I had a really good time last year,” reveals the 39-year-old who hails from Middlesbrough. “It’s a great theatre with a great reputation, there were fabulous audiences night after night, and well, they asked me!”
For a solo performer, Pete, who spends his year touring the length and breadth of the country (not to mention an annual spell at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival), being part of an ensemble piece is also a big panto plus.
“I love being a member of a cast,” he admits. “And they are a great crowd in Wimbledon – not just the actors but all the theatre staff, the stage crew, the lot. It all adds to the fun of it.”
Pete was described by The Telegraph as “the new poster boy for British comedy magic” and pantomime gives him the opportunity to show off his skills to a different audience. When it comes to choosing which tricks to include, he reveals that he has more or less free rein.
“Basically in the script, it will say, ‘Pete does magic stuff’ and it’s up to me to work out what will work in the time I’ve got. It has to match the theme of the show and be as interactive as possible as children tend to be very vocal and soon let you know if they are not impressed.
“The children are fabulous though and seeing their faces and how they buy into the fantasy is brilliant. They have not come with any assumptions; they are not there to analyse everything they just seem to cut through everything and enjoy it for what it is. I try to get them shouting out as soon as I can and get them involved as much as possible.”
So how does Pete feel about once again being cast as the lovable loser?
“I think I’m being typecast,” he laughs. “And I prefer ‘quirky best friend’. No, I actually think Buttons is one of the best panto characters as there is a lot of humour and pathos to the role. He absolutely adores Cinderella but – spoiler alert – he doesn’t get his girl and at the end, he just has to be happy that she’s happy, which I think is a bit of a shame.”
That aside, the New Wimbledon Cinderella is set to dazzle as it features some fancy theatrics and sumptuous costumes.
“At the end of the day, panto is meant to be just a big, colourful, noisy show that brings everyone together at the best time of the year. I love it.”
Cinderella is at the New Wimbledon Theatre from Dec 7-Jan 5. For more details and tickets, visit: atgtickets.com
