Panto is 'Stalk of the town (From Sutton Guardian)

Panto is 'Stalk of the town

10:14am Friday 18th December 2009

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Jack and the Beanstalk has been given a rocking makeover at Hounslow’s Paul Robeson Theatre and arts ed graduate Spencer O’Brien, 21, who plays the titular hero, tells Will Gore all about performing in his first panto and why he chose musical theatre over football.

Will Gore: Tell us about Jack and the Beanstalk.

Spencer O’Brien: It has been going really well and the audiences are picking up – we are getting great responses, especially from schools. It is a great traditional panto with a rocky edge. There are loads of Queen songs – Don’t Stop Me Now, Bohemian Rhapsody, and We Will Rock You – and then there is a nice duet at the end when I get to sing Rule the World, by Take That.

WG: Apart from the music, what is it about this panto that makes it stand out?

SO’B: The script is really well written – it is like the film Shrek. Although the show is mainly aimed at children, with the audience participation stuff, there is also something for the grown-ups to laugh at as well with all the jokes – they don’t have to just sit and watch their children. It is also not smutty at all – we have had to cut out alot of the ad libs!

WG: There is also a spectacular ‘rock fight’ between the audience and the villain, Grovel, isn’t there?

SO’B: Yes, the rock fight is brilliant and we also have some pyrotechnics. When you have got a pyro going off at the end of your song, you are guaranteed some applause. It is a small theatre but the show works really well in the space.

WG: What is your Jack like?

SO’B: My Jack is quite a stupid character, very unaware, which is nice because, when the kids are in, they shout all the time and tell me what is going on.

WG: Both you and Catherine Gibson, who plays Jill, trained at Arts Ed. Were you pleased to be starring alongside a familiar face?

SO’B: We graduated together last year and get on well so it is nice to be on stage together. Catherine’s character Jill is the love interest. It starts off very mildly but pretty soon she wants us to get married. I’m not into it initially because I think I am too young. At the end I forget I’m supposed to marry her and she has to remind me – I have no choice!

WG: Did you enjoy your time at Arts Ed?

SO’B: It was a very intense three-year musical theatre course but it was an amazing experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

WG: Did you go to many pantos as a youngster?

SO’B: I have grown up with it. I remember being dragged up on stage with Jeremy Beadle at one at Lewisham Theatre.

WG: Has the experience of performing in panto been everything you expected?

SO’B: It is completely different to anything I have ever done before, to be honest. I really enjoy doing serious things so doing this show has been like a breath of fresh air, especially over Christmas, which is such a fun season anyway.

WG: How did you get into musical theatre?

SO’B: I fell into because I wanted to be a footballler and, up until the age of 17, I thought I was going to be. I was playing for Thamesmead Town and was about to go semi-pro. I had also got into Arts Ed thinking I would do mainly acting but I realised pretty soon that I didn’t want to do anything else except musical theatre so I gave up football. I even turned down playing for England in the Under-18 World Cup in Sweden.

WG: Did your team-mates give you a hard time when they found out about your change in career?

SO’B: My mates’ reactions were mixed. They are not very cultured in theatre – they are great mates and support me but musical theatre is not really their cup of tea. I couldn’t have chosen two more different professions but I love performing and that is all that matters

Jack and the Beanstalk, Paul Robeson Theatre, Hounslow, until January 3, £10 to £14.50 (family £45 to £49.50). For more information and to book, visit hounslowpanto. com or call the box office on 08454562840.

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