LIVVY Evans is back home in York for the winter, playing Fairy Mary In York Stage’s pantomime, Jack And The Beanstalk.
Here she waves her magic wand at Charles Hutchinson’s quickfire questions.
What was the first pantomime you ever saw and what do you recall of it?
“First panto I can remember going to, I think, was Jack And The Beanstalk at the Grand Opera House, starring John Altman (Nasty Nick Cotton in EastEnders) as the baddie, I just remember him and being terrified!”
What was your first pantomime role?
“I played Happy the dwarf in Snow White at the Grand Opera House.”
What has been your favourite pantomime role?
“Princess Yasmin in Aladdin: my first professional job, also at the Grand Opera House. Playing Fairy Mary is shaping up to be a contender too!”
Who have you not yet played in pantomime that you would love to play?
“When I’m a bit older, I’d love to play the Wicked Queen. And, although traditionally male characters, I’ve always wanted to play a Buttons/Simple Simon-type character too.”
Who is your favourite pantomime performer and why?
“Being from York, I’d have to say Berwick Kaler, of course. His Dame is legendary!”
This year’s pantomime will be an experience like no other…what are your expectations of performing a show in these strange circumstances?
“It will be strange at first, especially with the discouragement of vocal participation from the audience. However, I think they will get used to it very quickly, once they get engrossed in the magic. Just feeling the excited presence of an audience is wonderful for us performers.”
Which pantomime role should Boris Johnson play and why?
“Boris doesn’t have the skill set to be an actor. He can just carry on playing the part of ‘Bumbling fool No. 1’.”
Who or what has been the villain of 2020?
“There are definitely more than a handful of villains this year. For me, personally, it’s Rishi Sunak. His comments surrounding the ‘non-viability’ of actors were pretty low. I would love to see him last a week in my profession!”
Who or what has been the fairy of 2020?
“It’s definitely a toss-up between Captain Sir Tom Moore and Marcus Rashford. Both have done incredible, selfless things this year and it proves that a big old heart is all a true hero needs.”
How would you sum up 2020 in five words?
“Exceptionally strange yet surprisingly adaptable.”
What are your wishes for 2021?
“I hope that everyone stays safe and continues to treat each other with some of the kindness and compassion we discovered this year.”
What are your hopes for the world of theatre in 2021?
“I hope that the theatre industry gets back on its feet ASAP and that people support it as much as they can.”
York Stage presents Jack And The Beanstalk at Theatre @41 Monkgate, York, until January 3 2021.
Show times: December 28, 11am, 2pm (sold out) and 7pm (sold out); December 29, 2pm (sold out) and 7pm; December 30, 2pm (sold out) and 7pm; New Year’s Eve, December 31, 12 noon (sold out); January 2, 2pm (sold out) and 7pm; January 3, 1pm and 6pm.
Box office: online only at yorkstagepanto.com. Please note, audiences will be seated in household/support bubble groupings only.