We sat down with drummer extraordinaire, Brad Hart, about Cinderella – The Panto! and chatted out the importance of music in a pantomime, what drew him to this role, and what are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of performing arts.

Lighthouse Festival (LF): How important is music in a production like Cinderella?

Brad Hart (BH):  I think there is a correlation between the effect that comedy and music have on an audience.  It is an instinctual, reflexive  response.  Laughter as a reaction is mysterious and beyond our control, as is the emotional reaction to music.

(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of performing arts?

(BH): Live theatre is such a joyously collaborative experience during the rehearsal process — there is nothing else quite like it.  As far as performances go, you get to create something with the audience that is only ever going to exist in that exact moment and then it is gone.  The energy that passes between the audience and performers is beautiful — and reciprocal.

(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella and why did you want to be a part of it?

(BH): I always had a deep envy of David Letterman’s drummer, Anton Fig — how he got to sit back and comment on the jokes by adding the odd rimshot to the proceedings!  I couldn’t pass up the chance to do that in in the Cinderella Panto!

We chatted with our panto villain, Steve Gauci, about Cinderella – The Panto!, including what the audience will laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella, what drew him to this role, and what he’d do next if he had a magic wand.

Lighthouse Festival (LF): If you had a magic wand, what would you do next after Cinderella?

Steve Gauci (SG): After this show, I want to hang out and watch Christmas movies with my wife and girls. And, with a little magic, I’d love to start working in the voice industry.

(LF): What will the audience laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella?

(SG): The beginning of the show. No, wait! The end. No,wait! The middle .

(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella – The Panto!?

(SG): Jonny (The Director). We’ve worked together many times, I was visiting this summer and he offered me the job. So, I took a leave from my teaching job in Victoria and here I am.

(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?

(SG): For better or worse, I’ve only done live theatre. I will say that 4 hours of choreography is a lot harder now than when I was 25.

(LF): What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?

(SG):  Trying to keep up with the rest of this very talented cast…and 4 hours of choreography!

We chatted with our favourite princess, Katie Edwards, about Cinderella – The Panto!, including what the audience will laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella, what drew her to this role, and what she’d do next if she had a magic wand.

Lighthouse Festival (LF): If you had a magic wand, what would you do next after Cinderella?

Katie Edwards (KE): If I had a magic wand, the show I’d love to do next would be the musical, Annie. It’s such a fun show with fantastic songs and dance numbers. I always thought it would be fun to play Lily St. Regis.

(LF): What will the audience laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella?

(KE): In addition to some good old-fashioned toilet humour, the audience will likely laugh at almost everything the Fairy Godmother says or does. Raquel Duffy is hilarious in the role, and I’m truly terrified of cracking up on stage when we’re in a scene together. 

(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella – The Panto!?

(KE): I was obsessed with Disney princesses growing up, so getting to play Cinderella truly fulfills a childhood dream of mine. I’ve always appreciated her kindness and compassion, and I love how those lovely qualities are rewarded. Although, to be honest, in a Cinderella panto, I’d be happy playing a mouse! It’s just a joy to be a part of this magical show.

(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?

(KE): The biggest reward of live theatre is having an audience. Hearing an audience enjoy your performance can give you the biggest confidence boost! However, the challenge with doing live theatre is that sometimes you will make mistakes and the audience will notice – luckily we have the freedom to make fun of our mistakes in a panto!

(LF): What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?

(KE):  The biggest challenge is balancing the heart of the fairytale with the joy and silliness of a panto. Cinderella sometimes experiences sadness and doubt in the show, and yet we always have to keep the energy light and fun. It is quite the balancing act!

We chatted with the hilarious Sal Figliomeni about Cinderella – The Panto!, what are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting, what’s the funniest line of dialogue in the play, and what he’d do next if he had a magic wand.

Lighthouse Festival (LF): If you had a magic wand, what would you do next after Cinderella?

Sal Figliomeni (SF): My magic wand would pick “ Mother Goose” the Panto.

(LF): What will the audience laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella?

(SF): The audience will laugh most at the tall, funny, stepsister. 

(LF): Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?

(SF): “Could we? Should we? We Must!“ 

(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?

(SF): The rewards of live theatre, especially Panto, is the audience participation. The more they engage and respond, the better the whole show is for everyone. 

(LF): What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?

(SF):  The biggest challenge about this role is sharing the “Dame” role with someone. It is usually all about me!!! Kidding… Not kidding. LOL.

We sat down for a wee chat with Raquel about Cinderella – The Panto!, how she sees the role of theatre in today’s society, what’s the funniest line of dialogue in the play, and what is the biggest misconception about people who work in the world of theatre.

Lighthouse Festival (LF): How do you see the role of theatre in today’s society?

Raquel Duffy (RD): Many of us live/play/work in an alternate ‘cyber’ world. Theatre allows a shared experience–not only with friends and family, but with complete strangers. In my opinion, that group connection theatre offers is vital to the human experience.

(LF): What’s the funniest line of dialogue for you in Cinderella?

(RD): There’s a bit that starts with “pull my finger”. And yes, I have the same sense of humour as your average 10 year old. That’s all I’ll say for now:)

(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella?

(RD): Well–bippity boppity boo!!  I grew up reading this story, so to play the iconic role of the fairy godmother is a gift.

(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?

(RD): I think the challenge is the reward—having to repeat the same thing over and over again and keep it fresh each and every time can be hard, but within that structure, there’s a freedom that exists. The reward is when you hit that sweet spot, even if it’s only for a moment.

(LF): What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about working in theatre?

(RD): That theatre people are always living it up. Most of us are quite regimented due to the physical and mental demands of 8 shows a week. I won’t say that we’re boring, but perhaps not as wildly exciting as people might think.

We chatted with Helen about Cinderella – The Panto!, what are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting, what drew her to this role in Cinderella, and what she’d do next if she had a magic wand.

Lighthouse Festival (LF): If you had a magic wand, what would you do next after Cinderella?

Helen Belay (HB): There are a variety of pieces I’m interested in, sure, but I’ve also found that the most enticing or special experiences of my career thus far have been the pieces I never saw coming.  I think one of the beautiful things about theatre is the work we’ve yet to see or even dream of.  That said, I also have a soft spot for the classics, so something in the realm of that would be a real treat!

(LF): What will the audience laugh at most during a performance of Cinderella?

(HB): There’s a buffet of laughs to be had, I think!  I’m really enjoying watching the many reworked versions of tunes we all know, and the moments of silliness that run on the ethos of, “More! More! More!”

(LF): What drew you to this role in Cinderella?

(HB): The opportunity to make people laugh.  I’ve always loved laughing and making people laugh, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve had the chance to do so.

(LF): What are the challenges and rewards of live theatre compared to other forms of acting?

(HB): I think the challenge of theatre lies in the essence of it being live — where there are no second takes, where mistakes must not only just be forgiven, but arguably, celebrated and where the pursuit of spontaneity and “aliveness” are perpetual — but that’s also what’s beautiful.  I was once told that if we’re all doing our job right, the hearts of everyone onstage and offstage, in the audience, are in sync.  Is there anything cooler than that?  That has to be one of my favourite parts of the theatre — feeling and hearing the ensemble and audience, and getting to a place of ease where that dynamic is a dance.

(LF): What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?

(HB): Not corpsing when receiving the bounty of delightful offers from the rest of the cast, and not judging myself when heaving my own into the mix!  P.S. For those who might not know, corpsing isn’t anything serious — it just means bursting into laughter when you shouldn’t!  In answering this, I learned that it’s called that because the worst time to burst into laughter is when you’re playing a corpse, hahaha.