A RUGBY GENIE-US!

SPORTING LEGEND GARETH THOMAS RETURNS TO THE PANTO STAGE IN ALADDIN, BUT WHAT’S HIS CHRISTMAS WISH?

AS A giant of Welsh rugby, Gareth Thomas achieved 100 test match appearances over a sparkling sports career before retiring from the pitch in 2011. Now, Gareth is a star of the stage and screen, and has become a powerful advocate for LGBT rights after coming out publicly in 2009 as the first openly gay professional rugby union player. He’s also made many appearances in pantomimes across Wales in recent years, particularly enjoying starring roles at New Theatre in Cardiff, where he’ll be reprising his role as the genie in Aladdin this year, to the excitement of rugby and panto lovers alike. We chatted to him about the similarities between getting on the pitch and getting on the stage, what he’d like for Christmas, and getting back into panto after a pandemic postponement.

So, do tell us about the part you’re playing in Aladdin, and why you wanted to play it

I’m the genie – and I feel I’m a very good genie, because I’ve already toured the UK being the genie. I obviously fit a genie part. I’m assuming this is because I’m not a very good actor, but I’ve got a half-decent body. I also love playing the kind of character that’s a good guy, and I’d like to think deep down, for all my flaws and my faults, I am a good guy, too.

What do you love most about doing panto?

It’s at a time of year when people are happy, people are joyous, people are celebrating, and I like to think we are a kind of a cherry on top of the cake of a family Christmas tradition. The great thing about panto is there’s something for everyone. You have jokes aimed at children, you have jokes for the adults, and the children laugh along whatever happens. It’s something for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age, regardless of background. Everyone comes to panto wanting to have a good time, and it’s kind of up to us to add to that. For me, it’s always one of the best gigs. I started the first year after I retired from rugby, and I’ve done it every year since because it’s so much fun.

Are there any similarities between getting up on the stage to turning up on the pitch?

When I started doing panto I was really afraid because all I’d ever known was rugby – but then you look at the two roles, and realise that creating an atmosphere on the pitch is actually really similar to what we do in panto. You’re also part of a really big team at panto: the people who are doing the lighting, the people who do the special effects, the people who are doing the curtains. There’s loads of similarities you can draw upon, and when I broke it all down, I thought: ‘Yeah, I can I can give this a go because it does have lots of similarities that I’ve already had to confront in the rugby world. So I’m kind of half-way there already.’

You’ve done panto in Cardiff many times. Is there something special about the city that keeps you coming back?

I love Cardiff.

I’ve always been a

Cardiff City football fan, and we’ve

From pitch to panto: Gareth in his playing days and (above) getting into character for Aladdin always gone to Cardiff shopping. I love that I can park up and walk from the Millennium Stadium to the theatre every single day during Christmas time and see Cardiff come alive. I see the Christmas lights go up, the shops start to get busier… it’s just lovely. I do a lot of work while I’m in Cardiff to support the homeless, too, and I get to hear their stories and how the people of Cardiff support them throughout the year.

The pantomime was postponed last year. How did it feel to finally get the go-ahead to do it this year?

To have it postponed last year was devastating, because we know how important it is to people’s Christmases. For it to get the go-ahead this year for us as a cast was really exciting – and because it didn’t happen last year, we reckon that it’s going to be twice as good

this time around.

What else are you up to at the moment, apart from prepping for the big opening night?

I’m really busy at the moment – I’m doing a lot of work. I’m up in Leeds with Steph’s Packed Lunch as a guest presenter up there. I feel like I’m in a hotel room more than I am at home at the moment!

Finally – what do you want for Christmas?

All I really want for Christmas is time on the sofa with my husband, just the two of us, watching some crappy Christmas film I’ve probably seen a thousand times before. That would be absolutely perfect for me.

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December 4 to January 2, New Theatre, Cardiff, newtheatrecardiff.co.uk