Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Bradford Alhambra, Saturday December 14 to Sunday January 26
Brighouse performer Sebastian Binns returns to his home county to appear in the panto Snow White and the Seven Dwards alongside panto king Billy Pearce. He talks to the Courier ahead of the show. Please tell me about yourself?
I’ve lived in Brighouse all my life. I went to St Chad’s Primary School and then went on to attend Brighouse High School.
I have always wanted to become a dancer. From the age of four I nagged my parents to take me to a dance class.
A family friend suggested
Zoë Kelly’s School of Dance in Brighouse. I was the only lad there at the time. I continued to go to Zoë’s until the age of 16. Zoë always encouraged me. At the age of 12 I auditioned for the scholars’ programme at Renaissance Arts in Leeds, where one of the directors, Martin Howland is also from Brighouse. I knew this was a step up on to professional training and then I made it my goal to train full time at Renaissance Arts Conservatoire.
At 16 I left school and obtained a place on the three-year musical theatre course where I am training in vocals, acting and dance. I’m now in my third year and graduate in July.
Who/what inspired you?
It was almost a necessity to perform. I was surrounded by music, films and theatre during my childhood. I was obsessed with Gene Kelly and loved the musicals he featured in. I was lucky enough to go to the theatre regularly watching everything from pantomimes to ballets. I hope to inspire more boys and young men with a passion for performing to flow their dreams.
What role are you playing in Snow White?
I have been given the part in the ensemble and this is my first professional role.
How exciting is it being at the Alhambra?
I’ve been going to Bradford panto all my life.
As a child I loved the magic of the pantomime and how it made me feel as a kid. Watching Billy all those years on stage and growing up watching the Chuckle Brothers on TV as a boy I now can’t believe I’m going to be working alongside the legends that are Billy Pearce and Paul Chuckle. Being born in 2000, Steps were a huge part of my childhood, I had the dance along DVD and I am thrilled to be working with Steps’ Faye Tozer.