Nothing is more Christmassy than a trip to the panto and we should have another excellent offering in Brighton , writes Nick Mosley. He catches up with Allison Ferns from BBC Sussex, Surrey and Kent, who plays the wicked Caribosse in Sleeping Beauty at the Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole in December. What is the chosen fairytale of year’s Brighton Family Panto and why was the theme picked? It’s Sleeping Beauty this year and it’s a fabulous choice because it’s a timeless story that we all grew up with and it brings together all the classic elements that make panto so enjoyable – a princess, a dashing hero and of course a wicked villain! What is the essence of pantomime? For me, it’s all about the humour, magic and audience participation.
For many it’s their first experience of live theatre , and it has it all; song, dance and comedy. It’s for all ages and thrives on being both silly and spectacular. It’s a great bit of escapism in which to lose yourself for a couple of hours.
You seem to gravitate towards ‘baddie’ roles...
why is that? Who doesn’t like to be bad? No, seriously, it’s the best role to play in my opinion because one minute the audience is booing you and the next they’re laughing – hopefully – at your comical insults. Oh and you get to wear black, which I love. Which actors are returning to perform this year? We are so lucky to have such a talented team at Brighton Family panto both behind the scenes and onstage.
Ellie Earl,.