Q&A with the Panto cast!

What has been your favourite character to play?

Kris: Bouffon in last year’s Beauty and the Beast. Joint with King Rat, of course!

Libby: Cinderella, but I’m starting to see that fairies have more fun!

Julian: Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk, but I love all my dames.

Jon: I think probably Wishy Washy in Aladdin, my first panto; although I was an ugly sister in my last and that was fun.

What is your favourite interval treat?

Libby: Percy Pigs – although other sugary sweets are available!

Julian: A box (or two) or Maltesers!

Jessie: I have such a sweet tooth, but chocolate during a show isn't a good idea so dried mango is a good compromise!

Ed: You can’t beat the traditional tub of ice-cream.

Jon: A fresh cream chocolate eclair or rocky road made by my daughter.

What is your favourite panto joke?

Julian: Why do cows have cow bells? Because their horns don’t work!

Libby: ‘Lets sing a special Happy Birthday to Elsie – she’s one hundred and eleven today!’ *sing song* ‘Oh wait! No, she isn’t. She’s ill!’ The old ones are the best.

Jessie: An actor I know kept falling through the floor during a pantomime. I think it was just a stage he was going through!

Ed: (examining a whisk) ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I’m carrying out a whisk assessment!’

Why should people come and see Dick Whittington this Christmas?

Ed: Because it’s hilarious, heart-warming and a fun-filled family treat!

Jon: Panto is all about making people smile, having fun and great storytelling, and our panto has all these elements.

Julian: There’s lots of fun and a very beautiful older woman in the cast!

Jessie: It'll be the best thing you do! The script is hilarious, the songs are catchy, you'll leave with a big smile on your face.

Joanna: To share the Christmas magic! No-one ever regrets laughing too much.

What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

Jessie: Group tap number, halter neck dresses, no bra, straps popped. Hello audience! That was funny.

Julian: Ed Thorpe ruining my make-up with a water-pistol in Peter Pan.

Ed: Not closing my eyes and coating my eyeballs in flour in Beauty and the Beast!

Kris: We nearly had a bald Bouffon in last year's Beauty and the Beast as I was about to go on stage when our company manager pointed out I hadn’t put my big floppy wig on!

Libby: Cinders had just transformed into her ball gown when the beautiful pony pulling her carriage did a great big poo on stage!

Joanna: I got my boot caught in the hem of my underskirt and as the rest of the cast danced around me, I gracefully melted to the floor. Continuing to sing, now sitting consumed in a pool of purple fabric, I was like The Wicked Witch of the West! My corset was so tight I had to crawl on all fours to stand back up!

What makes your perfect Christmas?

Jessie: My whole family sat in front of the fire, mulled wine and The Grinch on TV.

Joanna: Friends, family, good food and fairy lights!

Libby: The songs, being with my family and the odd snowball.

Jon: Being with my family – along with eating lamb (yes, lamb) with all the trimmings, plenty of chocolate and a bottle of red!

Ed: Food, drink, carols, Panto and Winchester!

What would you like for Christmas this year?

Jessie: Ideally someone to pay off my newly-acquired student loan but I guess some new Doc Martens will do!

Jon: My real treat will hopefully be a pair of jeans – made from a Japanese denim!

Libby: World peace?

Kris: Love and laughter.

Julian: A foot massage and a new iPod!

What is your favourite Christmas story/movie/song/play - or all the above?

Jessie: The Grinch, A Christmas Carol, Last Christmas and, of course, All I Want For Christmas Is You.

Kris: Tough one! I worked on The Muppets Christmas Carol so it has to be that one!

Joanna: There are so many! A Christmas Carol, The Grinch, It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street.

Julian: The Muppets Christmas Carol.

Libby: The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole.

Jon: I’m very traditional and like the nativity aspect of Christmas so that ‘first’ Christmas is the story I enjoy. I have fond memories of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. But I also enjoy Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree by Amy Grant with a superb guitar solo.

Ed: It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and The Muppets Christmas Carol (starring our very own Kris Milnes!).

What is your favourite thing about Winchester?

Jessie: I was born here, but have never been back so it seems apt I have my first job here! I LOVE how festive it is, the Cathedral is beautiful and the people friendly!

Kris – Of course the panto!

Joanna – The cobbled streets and the Cathedral at night/sunrise.

Ed – It’s commitment to the festive season and of course, the pantomime!

Julian - The tartiflette and gluhwein at the Christmas Market.

Dick Whittington rehearsal photos by BonPhotography