THIS Christmas Carl Tracey is going down in his worldly status – and he couldn’t be happier.
The last time he appeared in a Hexagon pantomime, he was Prince Charming in the 2019 production of Cinderella. And he’s also been a prince of another kind when he played Aladdin.
Now though, he’s experiencing a cost-of-living crisis of his own, playing Jack Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk.
“I can’t wait, I’m really excited to be back,” he says. “I loved played the Prince and Aladdin, they were really fun roles, but I also thought that one day I’ve love to tick Jack off the list of roles, and be the one climbing the beanstalk.
“He’s a bit of a superhero.”
There’s another reason why he’s looking forward to being Jack.
Indeed he is, heroically saving the day after selling Daisy the cow for five magic beans that lead to untold riches … give or take a giant.
“He’s more down-to-earth. Prince Charming was more controlled, but Jack is a fun role. I’ll get to play around a bit more.”
We’re speaking just after his costume fitting, and he jokes that while it is great he might have some trouble fitting in it. But it is a jest, as he spent lockdown devising Mr Move It, a fitness expert for children. And, away from his acting roles, is a fitness expert, helping people achieve their goals.
“I really enjoy working in fitness, and I’m moving into children’s fitness, working with schools and making fitness fun for them,” he explains.
“My background is in children’s theatre and television; pantomime helps join it all together. I enjoy performing to children, you get an instant and honest response.
“It’s very different to adults … I love it.”
Looking back at Cinderella, Carl says: “I really enjoyed working with Justin, last time he taught me some Makaton sign language for a song. It was something I’d never experienced before, it was great.”
After two years where performing arts has been disrupted by covid, Carl is pleased this Christmas will be more like what we’re used to.
“The world has started to come back to normality, hopefully this year will be a little bit more like it was before pantomime. I did an online panto during lockdown, but I’m very excited to be back.”
And being in Reading for Christmas is a treat for him.
“There are amazing decorations, and the lights are very festive,” he says.
The Hexagon is a special place for Carl.
“The audiences are very loud and responsive, they love to get involved,” he says. “And the stage feels big, the auditorium feels big … it’s very exciting as a performer.”
And with many main cast returning, they are very much like a family.
“They’re a super-high energy cast, full of people who give 110% every day they’re on stage,” he promises. “The script by Justin will be amazing and strong.
“There will be brilliant music, an amazing musical director, great songs, great sets and lots of fun and lots of silliness.
“It’s going to be action-packed.”
