Pantomime: Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters reveal their evil intentions!

Camping it up as the Wicked Stepsisters at Cambridge Arts Theatre, Harry Howle and Steven Roberts discuss the joy of playing the dame and reveal their villainous plans to make Cinderella’s life a misery and ensnare ‘a man with a pulse’

Harry, this isn’t your first rodeo as a Wicked Stepsister (no offence intended!). What do you love about the role?

HARRY: No offence taken! This is my 10th year playing a Stepsister - and I’m delighted to be joining the cast of Cinderella at Cambridge Arts Theatre. The role of the Stepsisters are SO much fun to play because we both play the Dame and the evil character all in one. I particularly enjoy all the fun and frolics I have with my Sister, being horrible to Cinderella and constantly searching for a man with a pulse.

Steven, you starred as Sammy Goose in Mother Goose last year. Why do you think the Cambridge Arts Theatre panto is so loved?

STEVEN: I think a big reason it's loved so much is because it's made with so much love; everyone at the theatre is involved and it's such a melting pot of talents both onstage and backstage - everyone just wants the audience to come along (be it their first or twenty-first time) and have the best time. I think you can feel the atmosphere as soon as you step into the theatre! Plus, there's something for everyone - singing, dancing, comedy, romance - the lot! Another huge reason is Matt Crosby - he is rightly a legend here in Cambridge and leads the company with such grace and kindness. I'm very honoured and excited to be back with everyone in Cambridge!

What’s the funniest thing that has happened on stage during a panto performance?

STEVEN: Which one to choose? There are so many funny things that have happened - every show is different and special in its own way and things can go very right or very wrong; it's one of the things that makes panto so much fun! The slosh scene is always a fun one because you never know for sure where you'll end up - one slosh scene last year stands out; it was fairly early on in the run, Matt and I got a bit carried away and long story short, the set took a battering. It was lucky to be standing by the end (!); I mean the fridge was on the floor but the audience found it hilarious, we escaped unscathed and the technical team were very understanding and lovely about it all!

HARRY: When I was performing in a theatre up north, Buttons forgot he had a scene coming up and went to the toilet instead. His microphone was turned on. . . let’s just say we heard things nobody wanted to and the audience erupted in laughter. After what felt like an hour he entered onto stage and was greeted with the whole auditorium and cast laughing uncontrollably. I’ve never heard so many toilet jokes than I heard in that particular show!

On a scale of 1 to 10 how outrageous are your costumes this year – and can you reveal anything about them?

STEVEN: Oh 11 out of 10 for sure! They look totally brilliant! We're very fortunate that they've been made especially for us so we're hoping to look particularly fabulous for you this year!

HARRY: Our costumes are up there with the best I have ever worn! They are outrageously beautiful. They are big, brash and bold and will make any man look us up and down! As for a reveal? You will have to come on down and see us strut our stuff as there are many surprises to be revealed.

And a couple of questions for you in character as a Wicked Stepsister. . .

What are your top tips for ensnaring a Prince Charming?

STEVEN: I'm looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6'5", blue eyes. . .but a Prince will do! And I don't ‘ensnare’ dear - I have them queuing around the block babes! With beauty as stunning as mine I wouldn’t know how to help those less fortunate like yourselves but keep trying! Between us gals though - for those suitors playing harder to get I hear a banana skin, rope and a van goes a long way...

What are you both asking Father Christmas for this year?

HARRY: I’ll be asking Father Christmas what I ask for every year. For a man, more notably a prince!

STEVEN: To give my stocking a right good filling. . . and world peace.

See Cinderella at Cambridge Arts Theatre, November 28 to January 5. Visit cambridgeartstheatre.com

CURTAIN CALL

Returning for his 19th Arts Theatre pantomime, Matt Crosby is taking on the lovable sidekick role of Buttons, as he leads an incredible cast in this most magical rags-to-riches tale!

Chloe Gentles, whose credits include Mamma Mia! (UK and International tour) and The Addams Family at the London Palladium, steps into Cinderella’s dazzling glass slippers, watched over by Fairy Goodheart Julia J Nagle, star of 9 to 5 and The Sound of Music.

Besides the dastardly duo Harry and Steven donning outrageous garb to play the Wicked Stepsisters, the remaining principal cast consists of Jack Wilcox as Prince Charming; Stuart Simons as Baron Hardup and Alex Bloomer as Dandini.

Al Lockhart Morley, Cambridge Arts Theatre’s resident pantomime writer since 2014, has penned another rip-roaring script, whilst Michael Gattrell (Mother Goose, Dick Whittington) is in the director’s chair.