// Interview
if you were to go to the NEC or any arena and watch Batman or any Marvel show, that’s what we’re doing.
It sounds huge! [BW]Yes, Disney has already been in touch with us about the show as they see it as the way we should be going. If you want to watch panto, go to the theatre, if you want to watch something different, come see us. [MK] Yes, totally different. It’s a special event. What it does, if you can imagine going to a theatre, but it’s 3D – that’s kind of what we’re achieving!
You won’t lose the fun of panto though? As for me and probably many, it’s all about the mistakes – of which I make many [laughing]! [BW] No, what you have to do is make it so well constructed that it appears like organised chaos. The comedic part is me and few others and what we are there to do, is lighten the load. Everyone plays their part, so for example some characters like Hook, played by Martin, hold the story together. Unlike Peter Pan that in normal performances for the first 20 minutes is a bit turgid, we are getting stuck straight in – what you’ll see is a big, bold, brash show. There are waterfalls and springs, a 40ft galleon, a huge animated crocodile and a BMX track with acrobats and high wires – it’s all going on – extraordinary. [MK] When they came to me and asked me to be involved in this project they showed me the ideas and told me what was going to happen. I went, “Nah – that’s not going to happen, it won’t be that big!” So we go into rehearsal for the day to shoot the trailer and it was ginormous, it was everything they said it would be and I wanted it to be! I’ve never done panto before as it hasn’t appealed to me to be honest… [BW] Whereas this is an event! [MK] Yes! It’s a Christmas Spectacular! [BW] I said to John, our co-producer, that we need a name to
sell Hook, someone who can perform and sell the show, who knows how to work arenas, as they are going to be in amongst them, not just standing on a stage, get in there and command the room, as there’s 4,500 to 5,000 people, so they have to command the room. We need someone who can sing and move and act and the first name off John’s lips was Martin.
How did you feel about that Martin? [MK] I’d be disappointed if I wasn’t [cheeky grin]! [BW] I asked John if Martin had done a Christmas show before and he said, “No he hasn’t” and I said, “Perfect”. So he has no preconceptions of doing the old version of a show, he now has the where with all to say this is how it’s going to be done!
Entertainment is important to the city of Birmingham… [BW] Oh yes it is… …we’re also a proving ground for a lot of experiences, be it music or theatre; are you excited by what the Birmingham audience will bring to this? [MK] Oh absolutely! I’ve played here several times over the years at the arena and it’s one of the best crowds in Britain, they do love to get involved and the one we’re putting on at Christmas is perfect for Birmingham – you’ll love it. [BW] There used to be a fab Indian restaurant, is it still here? Asha’s is where it’s at now, a superb Indian restaurant made famous by a Bollywood star who used to sing whilst she cooked, it’s a celebrity hot spot! [MK] What was that called? I’ll try that. Asha’s – you won’t regret it, especially if you order the president platter! [BW] Or Ed’s for a burger and chips! Now you’re talking my language, as I’m a good Irish girl, meat and potato, burger and chips! [MK] Love it [laughing]!
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