The Panto Podcast

For the last episode I have variety royalty for you. The legend himself Norman Barrett MBE.

Norman tells me how his act began, his daredevil stunts and taking his responsibilities as a ring master seriously.

 

You can support the podcast for the next series by going to www.PayPal.me/pantopodcast 

 

Your help will allow more episodes to go ahead. Thank you everyone!

Writer, director and seasoned pantomime dame, Paul Tate is this weeks guest. He tells me how he likes word play, the difficulty with directing and getting jobs because he was pretty.

It is a very emotional episode, for which I'd like to thank Paul for his openness and honesty.

You can find out more about Paul at his website http://www.paultateproductions.co.uk

And you can see Paul in Beauty and the Beast in Canterbury this year (2021) Click here to book tickets https://malthousetheatre.co.uk/event/beauty-and-the-beast/

Magician, writer and actor John Archer is this weeks guest. He tells me how he first got in to magic, a big career change and I find out the real reason why he isn't going back to pantomime this christmas. 

Here's a link to John's website https://www.john-archer.com

and you can follow John on Twitter https://twitter.com/TheArchini

Radio presenter, Dame, impressionist, writer and comedian Terry Gauci is this weeks guest. 

He tells me how he got taught how to dance, doing something different in an audition

and you’ll find out that you never know where performing can take you.

 

You can see Terry in his 8th year in this years pantomime Sleeping Beauty (2021) 

https://thelittleboxoffice.com/kdtheatre/event/view/119676

You can follow him on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook here 

https://twitter.com/terrygauci 

https://www.instagram.com/terrygauci/

https://www.facebook.com/MCTerryGauci

My guest for this episode is puppeteer Ronnie LeDrew.

In this episode Ronnie tells me how he became a top puppet operator, the story of his involvement with the iconic Zippy and offers plenty of advice for getting in to the industry

You can find more about Ronnie at his website www.ronnieledrew.com

You can buy his book 'Zippy and Me: My Life Inside Britain's Most Infamous Puppet'

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/178352698X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_EYJB72JBYQ9AY2QF64VC

And to learn more about puppetry here are the links that Ronnie talks about in the episode

https://www.puppeteersuk.com/

https://www.britishpuppetguild.org.uk/

The legend Jess Conrad OBE is my guest for this episode. We chatted in the grounds of his home, so you’ll hear the birds tweeting and the odd train now and then.  He tells me about starting in rep, working with Charlie Drake and of course looking after himself.

There are a couple of naughty words in this episode, so you've been warned. 

Jess has a website where you can find out more information about him and buy signed merchandise http://jessconrad.com/2main.html

You can also follow Jess on Twitter https://twitter.com/Jessconradcom

Ben Goffe is this weeks guest.

 

With 21 years in the business, Ben tell me about being given the chance to perform Shakespeare, being part of a chart topping group and his aspirations on becoming a director.

 

You can follow Ben on Twitter https://twitter.com/ben_goffe

and on Instagram https://instagram.com/bengoffe

The hilarious Johnnie Casson is this weeks guest. He tells me how he likes to keep his act clean, working with The Beatles and how he loved playing Dame.

Actor, director and producer Susie McKenna is this weeks guest. 

In this episode she tells me about her beginnings as a Pontins Bluecoat, playing a fearless principal boy and how she's always keen on learning on the job.

You can follow Susie on Twitter https://twitter.com/McKennaSusie

The big 100 and we celebrate this milestone with the legend himself, Christopher Biggins

Celebrating 50 years performing pantomime, Christopher tells me about his most emotional songsheet moment, the real reason he first got into pantomime and why you should never use a catapult to fire sweets in to an audience.

You can follow Biggins on Twitter https://twitter.com/onebiggins 

You can see him in the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk in Dartford this year (21/22) Click here to book tickets https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/Online/kent-pantomime

You can listen to his podcast Show and Tell here https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/show-and-tell-with-christopher-biggins/id1571126310