THIS year marks something of a milestone for Reading’s resident dame – it’s his 20th year donning the frocks and white gloves of the star turn.
Paul Morse is returning to The Hexagon for Jack and the Beanstalk to once again partner with CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher. He plays Nanny Trott, mum to Jack and Justin’s character.
“What can audiences expect? She’ll be fun, feisty, naughty and cuddly dame,” he promises with a twinkle in his eye.
“I think the audience know what to expect now, especially as Justin and I work together so closely. They’re here for a good time, and we’re going to have a good time with them.
“The audience is our extra cast member. They interact with us as much as we interact with them … it’s a great feeling for everyone in the audience, and for us in the cast.”
This audience interaction was missing last year due to covid restrictions and Paul is hoping that things will be different this Christmas.
“Getting back to normal will be a great feeling for all of us, having those restrictions lifted, being able to talk to each other … I do like to talk to the audience,” he says. “I do like to pick on someone in the front row and have a chat.
“It’s nice and it adds an element of danger for the audience members – and they like it. There are some who come every year and they always sit in the front row. They like to be spoken to and pick on. This year, it’s going to feel like we’re back to normal, and thank goodness for that because we need that joy, that unrestricted joy.”
There was some joy for Paul and Justin earlier this year, when their comical ballet involving a balloon, a wig and not much else won a gong from the British Panto Awards.
“It was just lovely, a real surprise. We went to the West End and collected it from Christopher Biggins,” Paul says. “It just shows that routines like the balloon ballet, which was silent, can really affect people and bring so much enjoyment, and get recognition from a national panel.
“We were thrilled and very touched.”
He adds: “The old routines work – you know, the Max Walls and the variety. It still influences our traditions and still works in the 21st century. We will keep doing it.”
One of the traditions of the show is that the Dame changes costume in virtually every scene. For Paul, it’s hard work, not least as he’s under a ton of make-up, heavy wigs and goodness knows what else. His costume for the photocall was an elaborate dairy-themed number, complete with a milk bottle tiara and udders under there.
“It was brilliant,” he said. “We will be in a dairy at some point, so costumes will be inspired by cows, and that kind of thing. They will be fun, and outlandish, and there will be a lot of them.
“The audiences expect great outfits – and they will look wonderful.”
With this being Paul’s 10th year at The Hexagon, it should come as little surprise that Reading for him now means Christmas.
“The atmosphere here, when they decorate the high street, the Christmas lights are switched on … it’s just really nice,” he says. “I haven’t had Christmas with my family or at home for 20 years, I’m always in panto.
“But coming to Reading feels like coming home, working with a wonderful crew. It’s a great way to spend Christmas.”
With this being a special anniversary year for Paul, what would the first time dame made of the actor 20 years on?
“I think he would have been horrified at my waistline,” he jokes.
“I’ve grown in confidence. The first time I played a dame, I was an ugly sister. It’s quite nerve-wracking as they show does rest on your shoulders quite a lot,” he continues.
“As it was an ugly sister partnership, I could rely on my other sister to help me through it, but over the years, the competence and knowledge has grown.
“I’ve worked with panto performers who aren’t with us anymore, but they were doing panto from back in the 1960s, and I’ve learnt their traditions and routines and carry them on now.
“The variety is a massive part of our tradition and passing it on to younger performers coming through.
“Over those 20 years, that knowledge … you still keep learning. You know there are dames much older than me who will be working a lot longer than me, and I can learn from them.”
He adds: “Hopefully, if I’m still going in another 20 years and with an even bigger waistline, I’ll have grown and developed even more.”
Of course, for now, he has his ongoing relationship with Justin Fletcher, who knows his slapstick and then some.
“It’s a nice partnership,” he says. “You’ll get more out of people when they feel comfortable. It’s great to put our ideas forward, to be listened to and for them to work in the show.
“It’s lovely to be part of a company like this.”
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at The Hexagon from Saturday, December 3, through to bank holiday Monday, January 2. Relaxed and signed performance will take place.
For more details, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to www.readingarts.com
