BWW PANTO Q&A: Lee Mead

Lee Mead became a household name when he won the part of Joseph through Andrew Lloyd Webber TV show Any Dream Will Do. He's since starred in Legally Blonde, Casualty and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and is currently playing Prince Charming in Cinderella at the London Palladium.

You're something of a panto regular - what makes performing in them so special?

On a personal level, it's great to be home at Christmas - to spend Christmas Day with my family. Professionally, it's great to share Christmas with the audience, with everyone having such fun over the five weeks of the run. It's a special audience, with three generations sitting together enjoying the show. And to be doing it at the London Palladium is a dream come true - completely surreal!

Why do you think pantomimes are so loved in the UK?

They are very specific to the UK - our tradition at Christmas for ages, with people going along to their local show or going into town every December. It's a unique theatrical form too. With the likes of Julian Clary and Paul O'Grady appearing, it's more than a play or musical or comedy. For most people, it's their first experience of theatre, as parents and grandparents take young kids along to their first panto - after all, you can't start them with Les Mis!

What's your take on Prince Charming?

I'm looking for a traditional approach - a Disney feel - but director Michael Harrison reminded me that the audience have (at least partly) come to see me, so I have license to put a big part of myself into the role, which is great. I make sure that I retain the mindset of keeping the role regal and recognisably a prince. Myself and Natasha J Barnes (Cinderella) sing songs and carry the plot, so we must always be aware of that responsibility. Everyone in the team has a role and should stick to it - let comics be funny, the singers sing, the dancers dance etc.

Do you enjoy playing the hero, or do you ever fancy being the bad guy?

I'm looking for a bad guy role... but usually it's the hero. And I'm not complaining! I've done it for 10 to 15 years now, but as I get older, I'd like to find a role that would surprise people. I've got a few years in me yet!

Have you had any onstage disasters during a show?

Well, Joseph's loincloth fell off! But I had boxers on to save me. There's often a few problems with scene changes, and once the revolving stage in Joseph stopped for 20 minutes and we had to reset.

Do you have special memories of going to panto yourself as a child?

I'm from Southend, so I went to the local theatre where it was the event of the year. And it was always a huge day out in London when we came up for a panto.

What were the best parts and toughest challenges about being on the road with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

One night the car got stuck - so that was a challenge! The role itself was the best part. I actually auditioned for the original London Palladium cast, to be understudy to Michael Ball, but was cut because I couldn't do the chorus dancing bit. So it was nice to be in the show all those years later. I was on stage for two and a half hours with so much to do, meaning that I was exhausted after every show. But I could eat whatever I liked and I still lost a stone in weight! The songs were super too - singing "Hushabye Mountain" was a thrill. There's talk of something to mark the movie's 50th anniversary in 2018, so my hat's in the ring for that!

What's next for you?

I've signed for a residency at The Pheasantry, giving a concert on the last Sunday of each month. I'm in talks for some big shows and the door is still open for more Lofty on Casualty. I've some possibilities I'm looking to finalise soon for 2017.

Cinderella at the London Palladium 10 December-15 January, 2017