A stage like no other for Chris
Star’s joy as panto gets go- ahead
A theatre star has told how he feared his dream gig had gone up in smoke.
Prestwick panto king Chris Taylor will tread the iconic Pavilion boards in Glasgow this Christmas.
But the 35- year- old admits the city is lucky to have its theatre in one piece. Fire which ravaged the nearby Victoria’s nightclub also wreaked havoc at the Pavilion.
The blaze came less than 24 hours after Chris had signed up to play a leading role in Cinderella, which opens later this month.
He revealed: “It was a tough time for everyone.
“What happened with the fire was so sad and it also affected the theatre very badly.
“I had literally just signed my contract and then switched on the news in disbelief.
“There was a lot of uncertainty for a while but thankfully the old place is back up and running.”
Chris, who grew up as a child star at Ayr’s Gaiety, has hit the big time in Glasgow and performed at the Pavilion last month as part of the Witches Fae Easterhouse production.
He said: “Few things compare to performing in front of a full house at the Pavilion when there are 1400 people packed in there.
“It has an audience like no other. “You can literally feel their laughter hit you in the face and they are a very honest audience – they’ll tell you whether they approve or not.”
Chris will reprise the role of joker Dandini in this year’s panto – one of the longest running in the UK at a whopping 78 shows.
He said: “I’m glad to be playing a good guy because I’ve been the baddie in my last few pantos.
“I love the interaction with the kids and making them laugh.
“For many of them it will be their first experience of theatre and that’s what it is all about.”
Fellow Ayrshire star Graeme Steveley, commonly known as wrestler Grado, will also appear alongside Chris as one of the ugly sisters.
He said: “To get the chance to play at a theatre like the Pavilion is just amazing.
“This year I am joined by fellow Ayrshire Mafia member Chris Taylor.
“I worked alongside him in “The Summer of 69’’ last year and I know how much of a great performer he is, so him being in the Pavilion Panto is brilliant.
“Ayrshire troops are making noises all over the globe right now whether it be in a wrestling ring or on stage.”