insideKENT Magazine Issue 92 - November 2019 | Page 33

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
THE HIGH FLYING PANTOMIME ADVENTURE AT
The Orchard Theatre, D a r t f o r d
PERFECTING THE PERFECT PANTO VILLAIN, EASTENDERS STAR STEVE McFADDEN
TAKES TO THE STAGE AS THE FORMIDABLE CAPTAIN HOOK. INTERVIEW BY CRAIG PILKINGTON
Steve, you’re no stranger to panto. What is
it that brings you back year after year?
Because I’m in Eastenders, it’s like the perfect antidote.
It is completely opposite so it is a complete antidote,
and if I wasn’t at Eastenders I wouldn’t want to do it.
It’s such a lovely challenge for me.
It must be refreshing to perform onstage in
front of an audience. How does it compare
to screen acting?
It’s completely different. You go with the feedback
that you get. You’ve got to let the laughs roll like a
wave and ride them. I used to do market trading
and used to sell stuff, and you’ve got to react to the
crowd. If you come out with the wrong line at the
wrong time it’s just going to go flat.
I suppose panto gi ves you that freedom to
make mistakes because the audience ar e
having fun and are on your side regardless.
Yeah, but I don’t like it though. Nobody likes to
screw up because then you break it up for the other
person as well. They’ve got their flow and they’re
working off of you so I do care a lot about trying to
get it right. It is a bit forgiving if you get it wrong.
People don’t notice it but we do.
Now, this year’s production is Peter Pan. Can
you tell us a bit about your character?
He’s not just Captain Hook; he’s been abused by
this young gentleman who cut off his arm and
chucked it to the crocodile. What a liberty! It’s
enough to make him hostile isn’t it.
Do you have any musical numbers?
Apparently. Yes. I’ve got an old script but I haven’t
got a new one yet and I’ve got a new song. The
crowd won’t enjoy it but I will.
What is it about this theatre that sets it apart
from any other?
was here. Wherever we go, we have a good time. I
discovered, when I first did panto, that I wasn’t sure
what it was all about. Am I supposed to be funny?
Am I supposed to be singing? What am I doing? I
was stood outside thinking ‘what am I doing here?’
and I could hear the noise of the audience. I was
nervous and then I heard the audience come out
and it was a completely different change of tone.
The fun. The laughter. The chit-chat. People were
just having a shared experience, and that’s when I
realised what I was doing. It’s a family experience
for everyone with people they love. When I worked
out what I was doing, that’s when I realised I wanted
to do it again. I enjoyed that aspect of it, which is
making people happy and having a good laugh.
Peter Pan opens at The Orchard Theatre on Sat 14
December and runs until Sun 5 January. Book online
or call the ticket office on 01322 220000.
www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
They’ve asked me back. Every theatre has an energy;
it’s what you bring to the place. It’s a really nice
theatre and I had a really good time the last time I
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