Well Besties, it’s that time of year again! It’s time to launch pantomime season and plan all things Christmas related. 

To get you started, we visited the Lichfield Garrick for their launch of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs where we chatted to the cast: Sam Rabone (Nurse Nellie), Maria Conneely (Snow White), Lindsay Bennett-Thompson (Wicked Queen), George Akid (Herman), Daniel Breakwell (Prince), Brian Wheeler (Brian), Dean Whatton (Sarge), Geoffrey Sergison (Sniffly), George Coppen (Striker), Jack Hilton (Cheeky), Liam Roche (Groover) and Isaac Natoli (Loopy), about what pantomime and Christmas means to them.

What are you looking forward to most about this panto season?

SR: It’s the first time we’ve performed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs here. It’s been done as Snow White and the Magic Mirror or something, but not as the Seven Dwarfs, so I think that’s very exciting in itself.

DW: Entertaining children.

BW: And adults too. There are some jokes for adults, jokes for children and it’s also nice to have a traditional Christmas after lockdown; get people out, get people mixing and get people smiling again.

MC: It’s the excitement that surrounds it. The energy and vibe are always happy in panto. What’s nice about it is that it’s many young children’s first experience of theatre as well, which is what’s actually really important about it despite all the silliness. I think it’s so nice to be a child’s first experience in theatre and its Christmas, so we’re all happy!

BW: The banter that goes on between us, especially the seven. We put any difficulties aside, it’s laughing and joking and feeling alive again, having fun and transferring that across to the audience too.

GA: I’ve never done Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs so for me, it’s going to be a brand-new season of shows. Hopefully its going to be as normal as possible a season with everything that’s happened over the last couple of years. We need it now more than ever, just a couple of hours away from everything that’s happened, whatever it may be, and that’s what panto does. It’s exciting to be back in Lichfield, it’s a great city.

Why do you think pantomime is still such an important part of our Christmas?

DW: English tradition. It’s an annual thing we do every year and everyone looks forward to it.

GS: We get the audience in, they become part of the show.

GC: Everyone’s got memories of seeing it as a kid, and they grow up, and they can take their kids to see the panto.

DW: It brings families together.

MC: It’s familiar, everyone knows what panto is. We all know the stories, it’s easy to follow and you can just enjoy it. There’s lots for the kids and for the adults, so all ages can enjoy it.

DB: It’s part of the build up to Christmas as well. It’s really exciting!

What are your favourite things about Christmas?

GC: Panto, we make good friends, it’s the enjoyment of it. For me, it’s the best job of the year easily.

DW: Creating a new family. It is work but it doesn’t feel like work.

MC, LB & DB: The food!!

DB: I’m really lucky this year as my family live just down the road from here, so I can see them. usually, I either get to work or go and see my family, so it’s nice to be able to do both.

SR: Christmas dinner. There’s something about not being able to finish it. Bread sauce, I don’t know if that’s a Brummie thing? I just love Christmas dinner.

Aside from Snow White, which other pantomime would you like to be in?

DW: Jack and the Beanstalk, I want to play the giant!

BW: I’ve done Ugly Sister which was quite fun, with the biggest, tallest person they could find.

LB: Oh, I’m playing it! I’m playing my favourite; I’m playing the best role!

MC: I think I would maybe go for the Wicked Queen. We love playing baddies don’t we.

DB: I think mine would be Peter Pan because of his flying. I would like to fly!

GA: Always the Dame. You can have the most fun on stage, with the best costumes.

SR: Dame is my favourite panto character. I did Sleeping Beauty and that was my favourite part I ever did. Families book the front row because they want me to pick on the Dad or the husband, they want to see them squirm! You’re the Ringmaster, you’re the compere, you’re the link between the audience and what’s going on, I love it!

And finally, if you could be in anything at all, what would your dream role be?

DW: Bond villain.

JH: Something horror. As the killer or terroriser! The one that grabs your toes from under the bed!

GS: I played a murderer before and that was quite fun.

BW: The next job is always the best one.  You never know what’s round the corner.

LB: I love doing puppetry and things like that, so maybe something like Andy Serkis, where you can completely get absorbed, like Golam or Planet of the Apes, stuff like that. Avatar where you’re completely transformed. You could be a dragon, completely outside of what you are.

MC: I enjoy period characters. Taking yourself to a different time, a different world. That’s why we act isn’t it? To be something else.

DB: It would have to be a musical. I love the genre of musical theatre. I would love to have played Jack in Into the Woods, its such a good character. I’d love to be in a Sondheim show, I think he writes beautifully. 

GA: Jon Culshaw recently did Les Dawson at the Fringe. I adore Les Dawson, so I’d like to do something like that. A show which is the history of a comedy legend. Maybe a West End musical, I’d love to do Shrek.

SR: Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. If I could sing, I would be there!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs plays at the Lichfield Garrick from 25 November until 31 December, with tickets available here.