This year, my 8th season with UK Productions, marks my 16th
consecutive Christmas
playing Dame, and I'm really excited to be playing The Theatre Royal, Bath;
though it is slightly daunting to be stepping into the boots of Chris Harris,
who directed and played Dame there for so many years.
Chris was my inspiration to play Dame; I was was Captain's Mate with him in my first panto,
Dick Whittington, at The Theatre Royal Plymouth, way back in 1987
(starring Anita Harris, Bernard Cribbins, Andrew Sachs and Glyn Owen).
It was such fun doing classic routines with Chris and Bernard - especially A Little Bit of Heaven,
and an acrobatic act with Chris on invisible flying wires - I learnt so much from them both.
I'm also looking forward to being back with some old friends: lovely Sarah Day (Princess Jill),
who I last worked with in Sleeping Beauty at The Anvil in Basingstoke in 2010 - she's
choreographing the show too, which is great, because she's very, very patient;
the delightful David Alcock (playing King) - we were both in Jack & The Beanstalk
in New Brighton a couple of years ago;
David Barrett (Jack), who I was with in Aladdin in Malvern in 2008 - Great voice!
and Director, Michael Gattrell, who I've known for years but never actually worked with.
And if that wasn't enough there's there's all the new friends to make!
Jon Monie, who I've seen in previous Bath Pantos - Really funny!
the irrepressible Katy Ashworth; and, of course,
