'10 years ago I rocked up and I've been here ever since'

For many families one of the biggest traditions at Christmas is having a turkey dinner, but going to see a pantomime might be a close second.

Along with actors from popular TV shows, many theatres feature the same actors, in the same role, year in and year out.

So why do they do it and why is pantomime such an annual draw for them?

Will Kenning has been a pantomime dame for more than 15 years, meaning he plays the role of a woman, complete with over-the-top costumes, make-up and wigs.

It was a role he first played in 2010 at the New Wolsey in Ipswich, and he continued there for three years in the theatre's "rock'n'roll pantos".

Then in 2017 he performed for the first time at The Grove Theatre, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, close to where he lives in Leighton Buzzard, as having a young family meant he could see his own children more often.

The actor, director and writer, has remained there and is now described on the theatre's poster as "Dunstable's favourite".

"I absolutely love it; I feel immensely lucky to have found a home there," he said.

"If you think about how many theatres there are, there aren't that many people who get to be a resident dame — it's a sought-after privilege.

"To serve a town and to be a regular — it's almost like being a cheap celebrity.

"I've proved my chops for a good decade, and it keeps me home for Christmas.

"In 10 years time I hope to be a Dunstable legend.

"It's a lot of silly nonsense but I take it seriously."

The Harlow Playhouse in Essex is the second home of Ben Parsley, who was born and bred in the town.

Over the past year he's developed the role of Silly Billy, and is also the venue's technical manager.

He describes himself as a comedy actor and has been working in pantomime for 15 years and, to put it mildly, has a "very long history with the Playhouse".

"In 1971 my grandfather, Roger Parsley, founded Harlow Youth Theatre. It's where my parents met, where I saw my first ever panto, Aladdin, with my mum in the lead, where I was in my first show, aged eight in Blitz, where I met my wife, working on a panto and where we were married," he said.

He says he started off behind the scenes and worked his way on to the stage and eight years ago made his debut in the comedy part, Silly Billy, and has never looked back.

"It's instantaneous, you get told [by the audience] if you're doing a good job," he said.

"You're in a relationship with them. It would take a nonsense offer to get me out of the Playhouse. It's my home and it has been for 16 years.

"I owe a lot to this building and I don't feel like I've paid it back yet."

He says finding out that some people come to the pantomime just to see him is "very humbling".

"I find it really bizarre, I'm just me," he said.

"It's an honour and I want to do everyone proud and make sure everyone has a smile on their face."

In 2015, Terry Gleed first performed at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

"Ten years ago I rocked up here and they've liked what I did, so next year they said 'could we have Terry back?' and I've been here ever since," he said.

This year he is in Sleeping Beauty, where he's playing Chester the Jester, and the poster calls him "Lowestoft's Favourite".

The musical theatre-trained performer says he's not a comedian, but a comic character actor.

He's appeared in pantomimes for more than 20 years including in Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk and Peter Pan.

He says he's not a local lad, but from Wraysbury, Berkshire.

"I have to keep reminding people I'm not from around here, but it's like coming home," he said.

"I'm very happy in my work. Panto is the one time you can be with a full company and do what I love. I'm very fulfilled and long may it continue.

"When I first come on stage, I put my arms out and I stand there and they just clap.

"I feel like I'm performing in front of friends and it's a wonderful thing."

For Matt Crosby it is his 20th time playing the Dame at The Arts Theatre Cambridge, that has just reopened after renovation.

That means for two decades he has been in over 1,200 performances and seen by more than half a million audience members. This year he will be Nanny Nutkins in Sleeping Beauty.

"I was always in awe of the many Dames I've worked with (and watched) over the years.

"It's quite the challenge and one that I never expected to pursue."

He says several years ago he asked the director if he could "give it a go" and luckily he did.

"I don't know what attracted me more to it. Was it the fact that the Dame is generally the lynchpin of any panto or was it more to do with the array of colourful costumes that she gets to wear?"

He says he still loves the magic of panto in the city that is his "second home" and the art form should be "praised".

"When things go wrong, and trust me, sometimes things can go wrong, we're in safe hands knowing that we're all in it together.

"My children have grown up on panto and I love it when they come to watch.

"Long may it reign."

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