Bognor Regis panto video: Lily meets her mum!

“Panto is the best fun an actor can have,” said Vicky. “The audiences, especially in Bognor, are so up for fun and participation that even when you have three shows in one day, the energy and enthusiasm of the audience are a shot in the arm.

“I’ve done a lot of children’s theatre in the past, but panto is a unique experience. There’s simply nothing like it. Playing Mrs Darling and Myrtle the Mermaid! Lovely little roles and Myrtle will be a hoot to play (she’s a Northern lass with plenty of sass!) The only thing that terrifies me is the costume, which is designed for a lady of younger years and a far smaller waist. It’s a diet that is succeeding where all others have failed. Whenever I find my hand straying into the biscuit tin, I just look at the snap of me in the costume and my appetite vanishes before you can say Spanx. As Mrs Darling I get to be mummy to some lovely and super-talented children, all of whom are from local schools. The fact that I’m such a shortie that they are all taller than me is neither here nor there. The Darling children get their height from Mr Darling!

“Talking of Mr Darling, I can’t wait to work with Jamie, who is also playing Captain Hook. He’s going to be terrific and he’s also very easy on the eye. Bev the director has given me a lovely Christmas present by casting Jamie as my hubby!

“It’s a fabulous cast. The read-through was so exciting because they are all so experienced and so good in their respective roles. Dave Benson Phillips as Smee is going to be absolutely brilliant. He’s such high-octane fun and the kids will love being part of his gang.

“Peter Pan is, in my opinion, one of the best pantomimes. It has everything – swash-buckling action, drama, comedy, song, dance, romance. There is something for everyone.

“The Alexandra has a wonderful team working behind the scenes and front of house and for that short period over Christmas we become one big happy family. As a company we’re looking forward to fitting a spot of Bingo in!

“Panto is often a child’s first experience of live theatre and nothing beats looking at the sea of faces, each transfixed by the magic. And then you look at their parents’ faces, and the grandparents’ faces. That’s the beauty of pantomime. It spans the generations.”

Vicky is currently writing a book about Audrey Hepburn and working as a freelance PR. “I have a regular interview in the Observer series. I am a former pupil of the Italia Conti of Theatre Arts and ex-CFT staff, where I worked in almost every single department over the years, as well as acting in several shows.”

Peter Pan is at Bognor’s Regis Centre from December 16-January 3. 01243 861010.

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