Well it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, so we have devoted our sixth episode to all things panto! In this podcast you will hear from our panto villain Rik Makarem, who TV viewers will know from Emmerdale and Casualty. He tells us about life in Soapland, the magic of panto for young children and his love of Formula One. Panto choreographer Dee Jago lets us in on the secrets of preparing the cast and panto babes for some spectacular dance routines, and we hear from our Genie Kiera-Nicole Brennan, a familiar face as a children’s presenter on Channel 5’s Milkshake, who is excited to be taking on a role more traditionally played by a man. We also talk to Jane Walsh, who produces the panto and is a font of knowledge on all the practicalities that need to be in place behind the scenes; Theatre Royal chief executive Stephen Crocker on our special Christmas Appeal which will help provide worthwhile projects by our Learning and Participation department; and last, but certainly not least, local boy Steven Roberts who will be flying high on his magic carpet as Aladdin.