Kentish Express Ashford & District - What's On
Read the first of our panto star interviews from two Kent theatres
Panto season is coming and What’s On will be bringing you all the panto gossip and interviews over the coming weeks. Angela Cole speaks to the stars
Panto is a serious business, according to former Eastenders actor Harry Reid.
Harry, who lives in Gravesend, is best known for playing Ben Mitchell in Eastenders, and will this year join the cast of the Marlowe Theatre pantomime Cinderella as Dandini.
It’s the 10th consecutive year panto producers Evolution Productions, with director Paul Hendy, have brought audiences the Christmas extravaganza in Canterbury and Harry isn’t taking it lightly.
Harry, who is currently appearing in Agatha Christie’s Witness For The Prosecution at London’s County Hall, is excited to take on his first panto role, but is focussed on doing the best he can in the role.
“I had friends who had done panto with Evolution and worked with Paul and spoke highly of him, so I was incredibly excited when he came to me,” he said.
The 26-year-old added: “I love the characters I play.
“I miss the character of Ben. I have my frustrations about him and I wanted him to do well in life. I still see Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay, and we have fantasies about how Ben and Jay will take over Albert Square. “I haven’t got into character yet for the panto - I am a blank canvas as far as panto goes.” “Coming from a serious play, where there is lots of crying and emotions flying around, this is an opportunity to have some fun while still doing the craft that I love. I will not allow myself to see this as a bit of fun - though we will also have fun! It is a whole new skill in itself.” Harry joins a star-studded cast which includes TV star Sally Lindsay, Mister Maker Phil Gallagher and local panto favourites Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett.
The cast also includes Patrick Clancy as Baron Hardup, Oliver Watton as Prince Charming and Cara Dudgeon as Cinderella. The show runs from Friday, November 23 to Sunday, January 6 and tickets costing from £14.75, are available from 01227 787787 or visiting marlowetheatre.com.
l Look out for our interview with Loose Women star Sally Lindsay in the coming weeks
A SILLY BILLY
Star of Channel 5’s Milkshake Derek Moran hasn’t had a proper Christmas for a decade, thanks to his love of starring in panto - except if you count the ones he’s had in January.
Derek, who has time off every year to from the kids’ TV show to appear in panto, will appear alongside Brookside’s Claire Sweeney in the Assembly Hall Theatre’s pantomime this year, Sleeping Beauty.
“This is my 10th year with UK Productions,” he said. “My birthday is on December 15 so my family always come to where I am doing panto. We have Christmas properly the second weekend in January because I’m working at Christmas, and my mum loves doing it all over again.
“I have four brothers and a sister so I have many happy memories of Christmas.
“I remember one year opening the door on Christmas morning and my mum had put batteries in everything and everything was going.” But he expects to be part of the panto family soon, anyway. “I had such a great time here last year - Tunbridge Wells feels so Christmassy! I love going to the Pantiles.
“We’ll be like a family. You become a family in three days. You’re away from your family and you spend so much time together with these people. It’s a nice feeling actually.
The show, which is being produced by UK Productions in association with the theatre and directed by John-jackson Almond, promises flying fairies, a fire-breathing dragon and some CGI animation. The show runs from Friday, December 7 to Wednesday, January 2. To book tickets from £15.50 for children and £24, call 01892 530613 or visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk l Look out for our interview with Claire Sweeney soon