Swansea born Nigel Ellacott has become part of pantomime royalty. We chat about his rise to fame, how he lost his welsh accent and the wonderful website he created that we all use. 

He's performing this year (19/20) in Sleeping Beauty at Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Here's a link for tickets https://venuecymru.co.uk/sleeping-beauty-0

Here's a link to Nigel's Twitter http://twitter.com/IBYNigel

And of course the extensively researched and updated It's Behind You http://www.its-behind-you.com

The first ever three part Panto Podcast. 

Part One - I meet the indolent Doreen Tipton. After waiting almost 4 hours for her to get out of bed, she finally answered the front door and reluctantly agreed to be interviewed. 

Part Two - Comedy playwright David Tristram is my guest for the second part. We talk about his creation of Doreen and how the process of writing takes place.

Part Three - Gill Jordan, the talented actor tells me her full story and what she loves about pantomime.

I would like to thank David for his wonderful writing especially for this podcast and to Gill for allowing me to share her story. 

You can follow Doreen on Twitter www.twitter.com/doreentipton

And for all things Doreen (and Gill) take a look at the hilarious YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/inspectordrake

You can also order the book 'The Giant Panteater, and other curious animals' by clicking here https://doreenforkids.com 

And you can see Doreen giving the performance of her life in Snow White & the Seven Dwarves at Birmingham Hippodrome this year (19/20). Here's a link for tickets https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/snow-white-the-seven-dwarfs/#performances

Shakespearean actor, writer, producer and pantomime Dame Paul Dunn is my guest this week. 

You can follow Paul on Twitter 

http://twitter.com/ThePaulDunn

You can find out more about him and his writing at his website 

http://thepauldunn.co.uk

And tickets for Aladdin at The Gala Theatre in Durham (19/20) are available at this link

https://www.galadurham.co.uk/galapost/aladdin/

Singer, impressionist and seasoned pantomime performer Andrew Fleming is my guest this week. We chat backstage between performances of Peter Pan, where he tells me about his career, does a fair few impressions and silly voices and some great advice for actors before they tread the boards. 

Here's a link to Andrew's website www.andrew-fleming.co.uk

One of the worlds leading experts on Pantomime, Simon Sladen is this weeks guest.

He's the Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Performance at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. We talk about what makes a good pantomime, his own writing and performance and the future of this art form.

Here's a link to Simon's Twitter accounts http://twitter.com/simonsladen https://twitter.com/theatrecurator 

You can find more about the V&A and how to visit at the website https://www.vam.ac.uk

With 50 years in the business, John tells his story of how he started off in weekly rep, how circumstances meant he was cast in Only Fools and Horses and the story behind that laugh. 

John has two volumes of his autobiography available from the website Wigmore Books, click the link to order your signed copy http://www.wigmorebooks.com/being-boycie.php 

And you can see John getting the boos in Aladdin at Malvern this year (19/20), click the link to book tickets https://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/aladdin/

Dame Simon Bashford is my guest this week. We chat about his great friendship with Danny La Rue, his passion for singing and how he keeps himself young. 

You can find all about Simon, where he's performing and buy his albums from his website http://www.simonbashford.com

This Christmas (19/20), Simon is appearing as Dame in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Harlequin Theatre Redhill, click here for tickets http://www.harlequintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/pantomime/ 

And to see Simon perform his one man show 'One For My Baby' on the 19th October 2019, please click here for tickets http://www.harlequintheatre.co.uk/whats-on/on-stage/up-close-and-on-stage-simon-bashford-one-for-my-baby/

Zany comedian and entertainer Bernie Clifton is my guest in this episode. 

We chat about a talking donkey, how he played Buttons, his love of singing and his energetic ostrich. SPOILER ALERT - Bernie gives away one of the biggest secrets of his career!

Bernie is appearing in Cinderella in Northampton this year 19/20. To book tickets please click here https://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/cinderella/

And you can find out where he’s performing and buy his latest album on his website

http://www.bernieclifton.co.uk

The Glamorous Dame Rita, Chris Hayward is my guest this week. We chat about working with some of the greatest names in the business, costume making and how he adores working in the North East.

Here's a link for this years Beauty and the Beast at Newcastle Theatre Royal if you would like to see Chris in action https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/panto-beauty-and-the-beast

Musical virtuoso James Harrison is my guest this week. He talks about how the most strict of piano teacher made him defiant, working with a certain silver fox and how he hopes to create a new vital addition to pantomimes. 

You can find all about James on his website 

https://www.jamesharrisonmusician.com

His backing tracks 

https://www.jhbackingtracks.com 

And his band sourcing website

https://www.cuemusicuk.com 

You can also see James performing at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield this Christmas (19/20) in Cinderella. Here’s a link for tickets https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/cinderella