‘Panto is bonkers but brilliant’ say stars of Blackburn show

A morning performance of Jack and the Beanstalk has left 800 schoolchildren barely able to contain their excitement as they leave the venue. You wonder how their teachers will be able to quieten them down when they return to the classroom.

The pair grab a quick sandwich as they chat before getting ready to do it all again for the afternoon show. The sweat is dripping off them. Mark who plays Dame Trott is wigless but his impressive eyelashes remain firmly fixed. Mark who plays Silly Billy has baseball cap firmly in place, backwards of course. Both of them have huge grins on their faces.

Such is the magic of pantomime.

“It’s just so joyous,” said Charlie, returning to Blackburn for the second year running. “It’s just so lovely to get so many children fully engaged for that length of time. As a performer you do get that instant gratification.”

Mark, who as well as starring in the show, is also the director, added: “On the very first show during the interval a little girl tapped our musical director on the shoulder and told her she was having a great time. That’s what it is all about, that’s when you know you’ve got it right.”

It’s fair to say the pair love a pantomime. For Mark, this will be his 23rd, many of them spent as the Dame.

“I was actually Baron Hardup in my first show,” he said. “Then I moved on and served my apprenticeship as an Ugly Sister before reaching Damehood. Once I put on my heels and strap on the boobs my posture changes and I become the Dame. I just love it.”

The pair are an essential part of this year’s pantomime forming an hilarious comedy double act but also working together backstage.

“I have been lucky to direct this year’s production,” said Mark, “and I like to have a nice chilled rehearsal room.”

“I don’t know how he manages to keep his eye on everything and also perform, I think my brain would fall out if I did what he’s had to to,” said Charlie. “It’s so important for the comic and the Dame to have a good relationship and we have definitely got that.”

“Charlie’s my support,” added Mark. “I’m rubbish at technical things but he’s always got my back there and we have gelled so well together.”

Jack and the Beanstalk also stars X Factor winner Dalton Harris as Jack and former EastEnders star Ricky Groves as Fleshcreep.

“Everyone gets on well,” said Mark, “we have got a great bunch and that is so important.”

Charlie said: “We have a good mix with people like me, Mark and Ricky who have done many pantos, for some of the ensemble it’s actually their first job and then there’s Dalton who is in his first panto. That’s the thing, everyone learns from everyone else.”

Putting on his director’s hat Mark said: “Everyone brings their own thing to the show and you have to be able to let that out. You want them to put their personality across.”

Charlie has specialised in bringing theatre to children. He directed Room on the Broom which was recently in the West End and is at The Lowry at Salford Quays over Christmas.

“It is so important you don’t treat them like children,” he said. “As an audience they are so much more intelligent than anyone gives them credit for. Lot of kids show that are very patronising and that’s why the lose the audience.

“If get them on your side, they can run wild. As a performer you have to be disciplined to create the chaos that the audience loves. There are times when the chaos is genuine because panto is a bit mad but then it’s how you react to the situation. Do it right and the audiences love it.”

The pair are passionate advocates for pantomime. Mark is planning to catch at least three or four other pantos on his rare time off. Mark met his wife in a pantomime.

“She was villager number two,” he laughed. “That was 10 years ago and we haven’t worked together on one since. This year she’s in Reading, also in Jack and the Beanstalk.”

The cast have the luxury of having Christmas Day and Boxing Day off but Charlie won’t be spending time with his wife.

“The only time we have spent Christmas Day together was during lockdown,” he said. “I think Ricky and I will be having a roast dinner together in our Air BnB.”

Then it will be back to pantoland, but you sense that neither Mark nor Charlie would have it any other way.

“You basically get to play with a load of friends,” said Charlie. The panto is such a British institution. You see a mix of ages and cultures out there coming together. Pantos are inclusive they are non discriminatory. It’s bonkers but it’s brilliant.”

Jack and the Beanstalk, King George’s Hall, Blackburn, until New Year’s Eve. Details from www.bwdvenues.com