The all round entertainer Leah Bell has been treading the boards in pantomime for many years. On top of writing and directing, she still take part in comedy plays which tour around the UK. We chat about her lucky break, working with a famous household name and how she likes to keep pantomime for families. 

You can catch Leah on tour at the moment in Dirty Dusting https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/dirty-dusting-touring

And her pantomime tickets for 2019/20 are now on sale https://www.empireconsett.co.uk/galapost/snow-white-the-pantomime/

With almost 40 years in the fashion design business, Paul was awarded Costume Designer of the Year at the 2018 Great British Pantomime Awards. 

In this episode we talk about his love of all things theatrical, colour, growing up in a large coal mining town and of course pantomime. 

You can see his designs at The Customs House South Shields in their next pantomime https://www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/snow-white/

and find out more about Paul and the work he does at http://www.foxandshriek.com/index.html

Pantomime and West End star David Leonard is my guest in this weeks episode. We talk about what it's like being a baddie, how he got the role of Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda and going into rehearsals without a complete script. 

This is David's 29th year performing in pantomime at York Theatre Royal. The Grand Old Dame of York is running until 2nd Feb, grab a ticket (if you can) at https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/event/grand_old_dame_of_york.php

Award winning Scottish comedian and actor Johnny Mac is my guest this week. We chat about how he got his break, performing his show in Great Yarmouth and nerves. 

You can find out more about Johnny at his website https://johnnymac.co.uk

his Twitter https://twitter.com/meetthemacs 

and here's a link for tickets for his Great Yarmouth show https://www.hippodromecircus.co.uk/pirates/

Jack and The Beanstalk 2019-20 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/jack-and-the-beanstalk/kings-theatre/

Scottish baddie Grant Stott has been treading the boards for 25 years in pantoland this season. We talk about his influences, his love of the Kings Theatre, how he plays a baddie and the reason why he quit his long running radio show. We also have a little interruption by Allan Stewart, who has agreed to be a guest at some point in the future. 

Here's a link to his website and Twitter 

http://www.pantovillain.co.uk

https://twitter.com/GrantStottOnAir

And this is where you can catch Grant performing

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/beautyandbeast

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/allanstewart 

And here's the link to the next pantomime 

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/whats-on/goldilocks

Actor, singer, comedian, presenter, awards host and pantomime star Steve Walls has been all over the UK starring in some of the biggest productions. In this episode we talk about his love for Panto, hoarding and not forgetting a lovely story about a pesky pyro.

You can find more about Steve at his website http://www.stevewalls.co.uk

And here's the link for tickets to the 2019/20 pantomime https://www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk/events/blue-genie-entertainment-presents-jack-the-beanstalk/

After winning Britain's Got Talent, Ashleigh was given top star billing alongside her trusted dog Pudsey, but having never really appeared on a stage before she tells her story of what it was like. We also talk a lot about dogs of course. 

To follow Ashleigh, please go to her Twitter https://twitter.com/ashleighnsully

Legend of TV and stage, Matthew Kelly is my special guest for the christmas episode of The Panto Podcast. We chat about his life as a child and the dressing up box, phones in the theatre and the shocking reason why he's not doing pantomime at the moment.

I would like to thank him for his valuable time in between performances of the play The Habit of Art. 

©Hayden Parker - The Panto Podcast 2018 

Any quotes of the podcast must be given prior approval before publication

Gary and Paul Hardy-Brown have been life long fans of special effects and in this podcast they tell how their passion has turned into an award winning career. Their unique special effects, illusions and animatronics are seen in theatres, TV and film all over the world. You'll also be able to see their work in real life at many pantomimes up and down the country. 

You can find all about their work and wonderful photos and videos on their website https://www.thetwinsfx.com/index.asp

And you can follow them on

Twitter https://twitter.com/theillusionists

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thetwinsfx/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thetwinsfx/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/thetwinsfx/featured

Stand-up comedy star, impressionist and singer Duncan talks about his career, his life changing stroke in 2012 and how he's fighting back and hoping one day to return to pantomime at some point. 

You can find more about Duncan at his website http://www.duncannorvelle.co.uk

You can also donate to the Stroke Association and read about their fantastic work here https://www.stroke.org.uk