JUSTIN FLETCHER – Reading’s homegrown panto star – can’t wait to return to The Hexagon this Christmas, and he hopes you’ll join him and his friends for Jack and the Beanstalk.
Despite years of experience this year is a first, as the story of a boy who sells a cow for five magic beans is new to him.
“I’m so pleased to be back again in Reading, particularly now the theatre doors are well and truly open again for our wonderful audiences,” he says.
“This is a very exciting show, as it’s the first time I’ve performed in Jack and the Beanstalk.
“As ever, we’ve put some new twists and turns into the storyline which should keep everyone entertained.”
The show, produced by Imagine Theatre for Reading Arts, opens on Saturday, and over the past fortnight the cast have been hard at work in rehearsals, bringing the script to life.
There are several familiar faces, including Reading’s favourite panto dame, Paul Morse. Also returning Rachel Delooze as the Fairy, Ryan Alexander Full who will play Fleshcreep, and Carl Tracey who plays Jack.
With Justin knowing the cast, it means he’s been able to create a script that is tailored to their talents.
“I find it joyful to write for actors that you’ve worked with for many years because you can picture them singing certain songs and performing in certain routine,” he says.
“They enjoy working with material that’s been hand-picked with them in mind and that suits their style of performing.”
On his role, Justin says: “This year I’m playing the part of Gil the brother of Jack who by the way thinks that the original nursery rhyme was Jack and Gil – a running joke throughout the show!
“We are both looked after by Nanny Hydrangea Trott and we live on a small farm with our beloved cow Buttercup.”
Nanny is Paul’s character, and this season marks another year that the pair are creating mayhem and laughter on stage.
Last year’s panto included a reprise of their hilarious and near silent comedy routine about two ballet dancers and a balloon. It was so popular, it won an award.
“I’m honoured that both Paul and I were recognised for the slapstick comedy that we deliver in this routine,” Justin says.
“The chemistry and timing that Paul has is fantastic and I’m very proud that we’re also keeping a time-honoured tradition alive in pantomime.”
There will be some that say pantomime is old hat, with plenty of vintage routines, and the whole thing should be chopped down like a beanstalk. What does Justin think?
“The Reading panto really works because audiences enjoy the whole experience from the moment they arrive, collect their tickets, and get to spend precious time with their friends and family,” he says.
“Pantomime is not just about the show on stage, it’s the collective effort of staff on stage and off, front of house staff and ushers who all pull together to create this magical experience.
“It’s a massive group effort to make the pantomime work.”
Tickets for the show are now on sale. It opens on Saturday, December 3, and continues until Monday, January 2. For more details, log on to whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
