MAY TETHER is back home in Yorkshire after leaving Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London, with first-class honours.
Now, the Goole musical actress is making her professional debut as Jill Gallop in Jack Stage’s pantomime, Jack And The Beanstalk, at Theatre @41 Monkgate, York.
Here, May gallops her way through Charles Hutchinson’s questions during a hectic weekend of six performances.
What was the first pantomime you ever saw and what do you recall of it?
“Dick Whittington, when the Cat was a lady. She took me on stage and I remember being terrified.”
What was your first pantomime role?
“Jill in Jack And The Beanstalk when I was 14.”
What has been your favourite pantomime role?
“Well, since I’ve only ever played Jills, I have to say she’s rather fabulous!”
Who have you not yet played in pantomime that you would love to play?
“The baddie!!!!!!!”
Who is your favourite pantomime performer and why?
“The ensemble of any show but ours are insane! I don’t understand how they do it. They keep me going. If they can high kick and sing, I can find energy from somewhere too.”
This year’s pantomime will be an experience like no other…what are your expectations of performing a show in these strange circumstances?
“I don’t have much experience as I’ve only ever done one other panto, in the same role. But I just want to bring joy to people in a very dark time.”
Which pantomime role should Boris Johnson play and why?
“He would play the Giant…because ideally there wouldn’t be one.”
Who or what has been the villain of 2020?
“For me, Rishi Sunak…get the theatres open, pally!”
Who or what has been the fairy of 2020?
“Andrew Lloyd Webber. Saving the day trialling shows at the London Palladium and offering to trial the vaccine. What a joy.”
How would you sum up 2020 in five words?
“It’s not been for me.”
What are your wishes for 2021?
“Health, happiness, success, to everyone in the year ahead. I hope everyone gets the fire to get back to work, whatever it is they do, and to feel they are happy again.”
What are your hopes for the world of theatre in 2021?
“Let’s just get the theatres open and get these, cough, cough, ‘non-viable’ people high kicking and belting out highs Cs or dressing as cats, or whatever it is they do best, back where they belong. A STRANGE time, but it IS coming to an end!!!”
York Stage presents Jack And The Beanstalk at Theatre @41 Monkgate, York, until January 3. Box office: yorkstagepanto.com