I got my first two pantomimes, playing Captain’s Mate in Dick Whittington (Theatre Royal, Plymouth) and Wishee Washee in Aladdin (Millfield Theatre, Edmonton) when I was doing Kids’ TV shows in the late 80’s, but it wasn’t until I was 40 that I decided I wanted to play pantomime Dame. I think I must have seen a documentary on TV and realised that it encompassed everything I loved doing – acting, routines (sketches) and stand-up. It took three years to persuade someone to let me have a go and I’m really grateful to Joanna Read (then running Salisbury Playhouse) for taking a chance with me. Then, as now, I was inspired by the wonderful Chris Harris, who I worked with in my first panto in Plymouth in 1987. Chris, sadly died in 2014 and I feel incredibly proud and privileged to have stepped into his Dame’s boots at The Theatre Royal Bath in 2015 and to have spent four very happy Christmases playing Jon Monie’s Panto Mum .
2023
Now that the new brochure is out I am thrilled to announce that I’m back with Jon Monie at the Theatre Royal Bath this Christmas in Sleeping Beauty. Looking forward to see who will be joining us this year.
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
Nurse Nelly Nora, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Tunbridge Wells. UK Productions.
2011
Dame Trott, Jack and The Beanstalk, Bournemouth Pavilion. UK Productions.
2010
Nurse Nelly Nora, Sleeping Beauty, Anvil Basingstoke. UK Productions.
2009
Dame Dolly Dumpling, Sleeping Beauty, Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare. Produced by Paul Holman.
Starring Peter Duncan and Vicki Michelle.
2008
Widow Twankey, Aladdin, Festival Theatre, Malvern. UK Productions.
Starring Clive Mantle, Michael Absalom and Hannah Waterman.
2007
Dame Trot, Jack and The Beanstalk, New Theatre, Hull. Qdos
Starring Cannon & Ball.
2006
Sarah the Cook, Dick Whittington, Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl. UK Productions.
2005
Sarah the Cook, Dick Whittington, Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford.
2004
Nurse Nora, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Connaught Theatre, Worthing.
Starring Leila Birch, Des Coleman, Lynette McMorrough, Samantha Hughes and Barnaby Edwards
2003
Widow Twankey, Connaught Theatre, Worthing.
Starring Melanie Stace
2002
Mother Goose, Mother Goose, Connaught Theatre, Worthing.
Starring Frazer Hines and Emma Wray.
2001
Dame Trott, Jack & The Beanstalk, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.
2000
My first year playing Dame.
Nanny Nellie Nora, Robin Hood & The Babes in the Wood, Salisbury Playhouse.
1991
Not technically a pantomime, more a Christmas musical.
The only time I played a baddie – Mr Tastee, owner of a Fast Food company, who had his eye on the animals in Mother Goose’s farm.
1990
1987
Dick Whittington at The Theatre Royal Plymouth.
My first panto – I played Mate to Glyn Owen’s Captain; Anita Harris was Dick, Bernard Cribbins played Alderman Fitzwarren and Chris Harris was Sarah the Cook.
Nick Wilton 