The drag queen swaps the cackles for the giggles by playing a fabulous fairy in this queer Oz-themed panto. Guillermo Nazara chats with the performer to find out if the show is worth high expectations or if it’s time to burst the audience’s bubble.
How does it feel to be stepping into shoes (no pun intended) of the Good Witch for this new holiday panto?
It feels fabulous! It’s so much fun! I’ve actually been a panto villain for the last four pantos I’ve been in, so it’s amazing to be the GOODIE for once! She’s goodlier than good, the goodiest! Or is she? You’d have to come and see the show (winks). But for me, it feels very fresh and exciting — it’s out with the cackle, in with the giggle, out with the dark colours, and in with the sparkle and pink, pink everywhere. Also, I’m blonde! I’m never blonde! Our good witch, Kelly, is a real whilrwind, and of course, there is so much to take inspiration from for this role, as there are so many iconic performances of iterations of it.
The show is presented in two versions: one for the family and another one for the grownups. Apart from the text, how does your approach to the character change in terms of performance?
Adults love panto! We all do! We’ve been brought up on it. Actually, in any show, the adults are so important as they lead the audience and teach the new generations all of the panto etiquette… I would say rules, but that feels too obligatory. You don’t have to scream, “OH NO IT ISN’T,” etc., just do it hiw you want! Usually, panto has jokes that land for the adults anyway, particularly from the dame and the comic, but by having a specific panto that is for adults only means we don’t have to watch our language and we can let loose! We can take the nuance further, we can push the undertone to the overtone, and the double entendre becomes a triple entendre… It’s going to be utter chaos in the most delicious way. There’s such great energy within the cast, so much generosity and so much silliness, and this obviously will lead to riotous rampant entertainment — you’ll have to come to find out!
What particular challenges have you found in this role?
It’s hard not to get utterly and completely carried away. Our director, Shay Shay, is so wonderful and honours so many of our silly ideas. It’s been such a collaborative process and so inspiring, BUT the show has to be a certain length. And so, we have to be careful not to get carried away, but that’s a testament to our enthusiasm for the show.
What, do you think, makes this panto stand out in comparison to others?
I don’t want to give too much away… There are so many surprises! To be honest, I’ve loved every panto I’ve been in — the genre has such a special place in my heart. Like many other pantos, this one has a core message of hope and finding confidence in who we are, and it does it in such an empowering, inclusive way. Panto has always been inherently queer; the dame, the principal boy, etc, but this panto and its entire cast and crew are queer and that’s so wonderful. So many of our parents in the audience will have been at school or impacted deeply by section 28, when queerness was literally banned from schools — that was so horrifically detrimental to so many people who will be in our audience. And, of course, within our community, there is sadly so much pain and anguish right now for our trans siblings. So, particularly for queer people and queer families but also for everyone, I hope they will feel seen, celebrated, empowered, and inspired, because that’s how it makes me feel.
How does the show take inspiration from The Wizard of Oz and Wicked?
There are so many references, of course there are! You couldn’t not be inspired! It would be rude not to pay homage. But Wicked Witches is a brand-new show in itself with new interpretations of the roles and a brand new story. There will definitely be a wealth of wickedness and wizard for the fans, of course, though. I’ve learnt so much about POPular culture!
What are your favourite moments in the show?
All of the bits I’m in! I jest… Actually, it’s such a genuinely good watch, I am literally lolling in the aisles watching the bits I’m not in! There are some absolute BANGERS in the musical numbers… I think it might be a certain iconic musical number that I’m not in, it’s such a golden moment to watch! I almost cried, but luckily, no one saw.
Why come see Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto?
We all need to defy levity; we need to embrace fun! Laughing is cathartic, and glitter is totally permanent and gets everywhere. I believe that, like glitter (and oh, there will be glitter!), this show will leave an impact for a long time to come. And it’s literally a panto for ALL.
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Wicked Witches, A Popular Panto will play at London’s Pleasance Theatre from 18 November to 28 December. Tickets are available on the following link.