Meet the Cast of Theatre Royal’s Pinocchio
We talk to the cast of Theatre Royal's new pantomime Pinocchio ahead of its opening night
Panto season at Theatre Royal is always epic and this year they’re set to wow us with a brand-new production of Pinocchio courtesy of legendary pantomime producers Crossroads.
With an all-star cast that includes local panto legend Danny Adams as Pinocchio, Clive Webb as Gepetto, Mick Potts as his assistant, Chris Hayward as Dame Rita and Joe McElderry as Jiminy Cricket, the pantomime is set to be one of this year’s biggest theatre events and we couldn’t be more excited.
Ahead of its opening night on Tuesday 28th November, we caught up with Pinocchio cast members Amelia Walker and Wayne Smith - who play The Blue Fairy and Stromboli - to find out what we can expect from the panto.
Could you tell us what you’re most excited about for this year’s pantomime?
Amelia: We’ve had such a fun rehearsal time, but it’s going to be nice to have an audience! I can’t wait to see happy, excited, festive faces and see what the audience thinks of the surprises we have in store for them.
Wayne: It’s my seventh year in Newcastle and I love being here – it’s like my second home being in the dressing room so it’s great to back! The thing I’m most excited about is that I’m playing a pantomime villain for the first time which is a wonderful experience. I don’t have to worry about shaving and doing my hair nice everyday and I’m loving being angry all the time!
We know the cast work really hard to get up to this point. Can you tell us how much work goes into the panto?
Amelia: We’re sent the script around two weeks before rehearsals, so there’s a lot of work that you do at home before you even meet anyone else in the show or work with the director and choreographer. Soon enough, you’re in the rehearsal room and now we’re at the point where we’re going to get on the stage and show it to people. It’s a lot of work, but it’s such a lovely process.
Wayne: For us, it feels like the three-week rehearsal period is quite a long period of time but for the production company, writers and directors this is a year-long process. They’re already thinking about next year’s pantomime, so the process for the production team and creators is much longer.
Theatre Royal’s pantomimes are always amazing, but can you tell us what makes Pinocchio special?
Amelia: I would say it’s very cheeky! It’s the first time that Crossroads has done Pinocchio and it’s definitely not Cinderella – it’s something really different. Sometimes with pantos, you kind of know what to expect but with Pinocchio you have no idea what it is you’re going to be walking into which I think is really exciting.
Wayne: It’s not something traditional that you see in every other panto around the country. And it shows how invested people are – it’s a new title and yet it’s still selling really, really well and I think that’s testament to the hard work that the guys have done here.
Everybody loves Danny, Clive, Chris and Joe and that’s what makes it really special – we’re a family unit here. We come back year after year and even if we put on an unusual title like Pinocchio, people still want to come and see it and I think that’s really special.
What’s it like working with those powerhouse cast members who have really elevated Theatre Royal’s panto game?
Amelia: It’s very fun! The first couple of rehearsal days, Danny was quite soft with me and kind of let me get on with it but he’s being a lot more playful now. It’s really inspiring to be in a room with Clive who has got so many stories to tell. They’re really lovely people and really lovely to work with as well.
Wayne: For me, they’re literally like my family. They’re my best friends. Danny and Mick, who I share a dressing room with, are just incredible people who I love. I work with them during the year as well so coming here is like our party at the end of the year. We come here and we just have the best time together.
Have you managed to explore the city much? What are your favourite things to do in Newcastle?
Amelia: I’ve only been to Newcastle once before at the start of this year and it was a really quick trip, but I’m most impressed with the people who are lovely and the food and drink – there’s just so many cute, independent coffee shops and restaurants. And then obviously that beautiful walk on the Quayside. It’s been really nice. We’ve had so much fun already.
Wayne: The list is endless for me, but what I love about Newcastle is that there aren’t many places like it in the country where people just come to hang out in the city. They might not necessarily want things or they’re not necessarily shopping – they just come to hang out. You feel that energy when you walk around the town – families just coming in to see the Fenwick window or people just coming in for a Greggs sausage roll.
There’s a real community spirit and community feel when you walk around and people say hello to you. I love that feeling about the city centre but I also love the fact that you’re surrounded by such beauty like going to Tynemouth or Hexham for the day. I just love it up here and hopefully I’ll be moving up soon – we’ll see in the future, but I just love this part of the country!
One last quick question from us. If you could sum up Pinocchio in three words, what would they be?
Amelia: ‘Cheeky’ is definitely one! I’d say ‘family’ as well – it’s got a real family feel.
Wayne: I’d say ‘traditional in a brand-new sense’. It’s still got that traditional feel, even though it’s a new title and experience for the audience.
Pinocchio runs at Theatre Royal from Tuesday 28th November 2023 to Sunday 14th January 2024. Tickets are selling fast, so swing by Theatre Royal and get yours booked before they sell out.
