Pantomime is special, it is social glue that binds generations and allows children their first journeys into appreciating theatre. It is also almost uniquely British, undeniably good fun and something that captures the inner child in us all. We may take our children and grandchildren along in the hope they will entertained, educated and thrilled by the music, the jokes and the magic that comes with a trip to see that Fairy Godmothers do exist, in which the hero and heroine of the story live happily ever after and the joy of the Pantomime Dame lead the audience through the innuendo, however it is as much for the adult in the group as it is the child.
It is with that in mind that the Pantomime has expanded beyond its normal Christmas outing, the decorations that hang over the stage, rails and in the auditorium have given way to the thoughts of Easter, the hunt for treats, the spectacle of rebirth, of Spring, and in its following, that of the warmth to come, when the magic of childhood hopefully comes alive and exploration of the world begins in earnest.
To dismiss the Pantomime is to suggest that nothing matters, that all that we are is a machine moving from one experience to the next and without the wonder and beguilement of the stage in our hearts. It is a marvellous mystery filled with magic that brings us all time and time again back to the theatre and one in which Radio City’s Claire Simmo relishes.
In amongst all the excitement and general conversation at the Epstein Theatre, the serene figure of Claire Simmo brandishing a wand and having introduced her fellow actors in this Easter’s Pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk, Lindzi Germain, Ray Quinn, Lewis Pryor and Michael Chapman, I was able to be guided to the place of giants and talk to Ms. Simmo about her enduring love for the theatre and donning the costume again for LHK Productions.
Welcome back to The Epstein!
CS: “Thank you very much; it’s great to be back!”
Is it a part you relish after Christmas?
CS: “I play a fairy all year round! In fact, I spend most of the year thinking I’m a fairy! It’s just a case of putting the costume on! Every time I go out I think I’m going to take off then I realise that I don’t have my wings on. I love the role, I love everything about it, being the person who brings a smile to kids’ faces and sometimes be a little bit cheeky, I can’t imagine playing anything else.”
Obviously, you’re very well respected, doing what you do for Radio City and I had the great pleasure of seeing you singing at the Docks a few years ago. Did you want to be more of an actor or a presenter?
CS: “That’s what I wanted to do originally, I always wanted to be The Narrator in Joseph…. that was always my dream role. That’s was the reason why I ended up going to Elliot Clarke above The Epstein actually as I knew they used the Elliot Clarke Choir and I ended up being in there and that was awesome. I always wanted to be in Joseph and I’d still love to be in musicals but being on the stage is just all I ever dreamed of doing.”
When you were playing the fairy last year, was that the culmination of everything you wanted to do?”
CS: “Oh it is fantastic to stand up there and just be out there on the stage I basically trained on and 20 years later you’re still actually making a living from it and doing something you love doing. Every time I work here I’m loved, I’m so, so lucky to be able to do that.”
This year’s Easter Panto – I obviously must ask as it’s only been in the last few years that the Easter show has become a big thing. As an idea, how does it sit with you?
CS: “I think it’s quite nice because I think it’s the same amount of time that kids are off at Christmas and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be as fun. I’d have a panto every month of the year. So an Easter Panto is something that is something that’s becoming the norm now isn’t it?“
What was your first panto then?
CS: “It was Peter Pan at The Empire with Bonnie Langford, I was really young and my Nan took me to that. I think I was about 10 or 12 then. That was the very first one for me. Bonnie Langford was playing Peter Pan so that was great but the very first panto that I did was here at The Epstein and it was Sleeping Beauty, that would have been in 1991, so that was when I was at drama college which was when I was at Elliot Clarke here.”
It must be great working with Lee again?
CS: “I absolutely love working with Lee, I’m not just saying that as he’s looking over my left shoulder either but I’ve known Lee for, gosh, half my life. The amount of times like Lindzi said earlier we’ve gone to work together and either I’ve been signed up or we’ve discussed something. Last Christmas, I wanted to do it and until he boots me out the door, he’s got me for life! I love working with him.”
What makes an Epstein panto special?
CS: “It’s nice particularly to have in Liverpool people who love the city. I think it’s lovely to have people come in but have your star and also have our regulars in. Not being rude, that’s what made Christmas. There wasn’t a big reality star in it, we were all performers – Dane, Lewis, Joanne, everybody. Lewis is amazing, I’d seen him the year before and to be on a stage with him and watch how he performed was brilliant. I was so proud of him.”
I’ve written about him quite a few times, he comes across as a very natural young talent. When you think about Eleanor Nelly for example, a wonderful young singer and musician, Lewis is in that class. They are both under 20 and coming through very well.
CS: “ I definitely think he’ll do well, he’s an all rounder, he can sing, he can dance and I think he’s going to learn so much more working with Ray as well. I think you’re going to see a totally different side of things with Ray as I‘ve worked with Ray before and he’s an amazing person to work with.”
If I could go back to last winter, Dane Bowers was a revelation to many people to watch someone with his background, no disrespect to him, I don’t think people realised how funny he could be.
CS: “Dane found himself laughing at himself a lot as I think he was enjoying it so much himself and I think because the cast got on so well. Lee has a knack of finding nice casts of people who just want the shows to work, there are no egos in there, no one is trying to upstage one another and I think we’ve got exactly the same balance this time as well.”
One final question, if I may, working with Michael – what a genius!
CS: “He’s a nightmare! The only scene I used to lose it in was the very end scene with Michael in it, I only had three lines in it and I couldn’t get them out, I was literally on the floor and it’s the only thing about working with him because he’s got that face. It’s like the naughty kid in class who makes everyone else laugh but he never breaks up. He’s also someone who gets the best out of everyone. I’m not a nervous person but before I worked with him, I wanted to impress Michael as I had so much respect for him as a performer and all I ever said to him was that I wanted to earn his respect because of what I felt for him as a performer and hopefully I have!”
Jack and the Beanstalk is on at the Epstein Theatre from the 30th March till the 8th April. Tickets are on sale now.
Ian D. Hall