As we gear up for the much-anticipated pantomime season of 2025, there's an infectious buzz in the air once more (oh yes there is!)
Pantomime not only entertains but also brings communities together in joyous celebration. In this series of interviews we sit down company members from a variety of pantomimes.
In this interview we speak with Hannah Roberts (from Han and Fran) who will play one of the Wicked Stepsisters in Cinderella at Venue Cymru.
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| Hannah Roberts |
What can you tell me about your role within this years panto?
I will be playing one of the Wicked stepsisters in Cinderella in this year's panto at Venue Cymru. The wicked stepsisters are just pure evil to Cinderella and they love to be mean to her. My character is not as evil as my sister and is a little slow with following ideas and plans but she wants to be just as mean as her sister. My character is quirky, dramatic and full of comedy. She is a spoilt brat and expects everything to be done for her and to handed everything to her on a plate. She really wants to find love and has no doubts that she will find someone as she thinks very highly of herself.
What are your first memories of doing panto?
My first professional panto was actually Cinderella in 2013 where I played Prince charming, yes you heard right, the male lead. I actually rather enjoyed playing the male lead because back in the day it was a big part of panto where a female played the lead male role. I loved wearing the long coat with the knee-high boots and doing the traditional panto slapping of the thigh.
What can audiences expect from this years show?
Alot and I mean alot of laughter and just pure joy and entertainment. Myself and Fran are like sisters so I'm hoping the sibling element of the characters will come across really well. I feel we have the most beautiful bond that allows us to bounce off of one another, so I feel that this connection we have will really help us to come together to have a strong and fun impact on the audience. There will be wacky costumes, magical musical numbers, crazy comedy and a whole lot of entertainment.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a pantomime run?
It is important to be physically and mentally fit for panto. I go to the gym to work on my fitness and stamina and vocal health is vital. I do my daily vocal warm up routines and then work on my vocal technique looking at different vocal exercises to strengthen my voice.
I will be playing one of the Wicked stepsisters in Cinderella in this year's panto at Venue Cymru. The wicked stepsisters are just pure evil to Cinderella and they love to be mean to her. My character is not as evil as my sister and is a little slow with following ideas and plans but she wants to be just as mean as her sister. My character is quirky, dramatic and full of comedy. She is a spoilt brat and expects everything to be done for her and to handed everything to her on a plate. She really wants to find love and has no doubts that she will find someone as she thinks very highly of herself.
What are your first memories of doing panto?
My first professional panto was actually Cinderella in 2013 where I played Prince charming, yes you heard right, the male lead. I actually rather enjoyed playing the male lead because back in the day it was a big part of panto where a female played the lead male role. I loved wearing the long coat with the knee-high boots and doing the traditional panto slapping of the thigh.
What can audiences expect from this years show?
Alot and I mean alot of laughter and just pure joy and entertainment. Myself and Fran are like sisters so I'm hoping the sibling element of the characters will come across really well. I feel we have the most beautiful bond that allows us to bounce off of one another, so I feel that this connection we have will really help us to come together to have a strong and fun impact on the audience. There will be wacky costumes, magical musical numbers, crazy comedy and a whole lot of entertainment.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a pantomime run?
It is important to be physically and mentally fit for panto. I go to the gym to work on my fitness and stamina and vocal health is vital. I do my daily vocal warm up routines and then work on my vocal technique looking at different vocal exercises to strengthen my voice.
Hydration and lots and lots of sleep is so important to keep energy levels up.
Me and Fran will be able to rehearse our script and songs together which is a massive support for us both. But the most important thing is to let go and have fun.
How do you approach bringing some new and fresh to the role and story?
I am very creative and free when it comes to ideas and I absolutely love comedy and off the cuff comedy. When I've seen Cinderella previously there have been 2 men playing the wicked stepsisters so automatically it is instantly funny. I feel that myself and Fran will have to work that little bit harder as we don't have that instant comedy feature.
I want to work on the relationship of the sisters to give them each an identity and to really portray that sisterhood bond.
Once we are with the cast, we will get a feel to how each other works which will help us with how to approach certain moments and scenes. I am very much looking forward to working with John Evans as he is a comedy legend. I would love to learn from him and take any advice he can give to me so I can create a quirky fresh comic edge to my character.
There's a real magic to panto, how much does that connection and instant reaction from an audience help drive a performance?
It is all about the audience's reaction. You want to make an impact instantly when you enter onto that stage. Introduce the character and wait for the reactions to start emerging from the audience. This energy from them will give us an inkling as to how to play it with the audience and will guide us on our journey through panto. When an audience is lively, that interaction and participation feed us more energy and gives us that extra little kick. I want to make them love to hate me.
Can you tell us a pantomime joke?
Why are pirates called pirates.......because Arghhhhhhhh! Awful but fantastic haha.
Also, my favourite traditional line from panto though is.....we'll have to do it again then won't we....woooooo!!!
If you were able to ask a Fairy Godmother for one wish, what would you ask for?
I would ask for Unlimited wishes.....don't hate me because I'm clever haha
What was the first piece of theatre you saw which had a big impact on you?
In the year 2000 when I was 11, my parents took me to London and on New Year's Eve to see Les Misérables. Well, all I can say is wow. My 11-year-old self did not know how to feel. I just remember seeing Colm Wilkinson playing Jean Valjean and the passion that that man had was unbelievable. I was shaken at the sheer talent of him and the entire cast and I was stunned into silence. As the show finished and the bows happened, I felt so much emotion and the tears rolled down my face. From that day I knew that performing was something I wanted to do.
What keeps you inspired?
My family keep me inspired. My family are my world and their constant love and support keeps me going. Their belief in me inspires me to want to work hard and to do great things. My nieces who are 3 and 5 years old both love music and dancing and when we have time together that is indeed what we do. They think Aunty Hannah is the best and they look up to me so much. I want to always be my best and work hard, as them being proud of me is one of the most important things.
What would you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the panto?
I want the audience to leave that theatre feeling full of joy and happiness. I want their bellies to ache because they have laughed so much. Panto at Christmas is magical and it's always important to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. I want them to go away and want to come back to see it again 😀
Cinderella runs at Venue Cymru from 12th December until 3rd January 2026. Tickets are available from https://www.venuecymru.co.uk/cinderella-1
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