THE weather may be starting to cool, but stars of Llandudno's festive pantomime Aladdin were hotting things up when they descended on the town to whip audiences into a Christmas fever.
The Pioneer had an exclusive chat with Dancing On Ice judge Jason Gardiner and returning comedian John Evans to find out what audiences can expect from the all-singing, all-dancing show when it comes to Venue Cymru in December.
What can you tell us about the panto?
Jason Gardiner - This is my first one, so I'm really going to be leaning heavily on John to show me the ropes.
John Evans - It's going to be fantastic. We have a 3D genie as well.
Jason - I can't wait. Do we get to wear glasses?
John - Well I don't know. It's projected into the audience, right into the middle of the auditorium. And the audience will be rubbing the lamp.
Jason - I might take a show off so I can watch it.
How did you get involved in the panto Jason?
Jason - It's funny. I've been asked several years ago and it didn't feel right. I've got god kids who I'm very very close to and I spend a lot of time with them. They are now at an age where they actually want to come and see me do stuff. That's not going to be around for a hell of a lot longer - before you know it they're going to be teenagers and I'm going to be boring.
When Jonathan (producer) asked me to come and do Aladdin I actually consulted them, and they were crazy about the idea so it's really down to them two - they said you must do it! So here I am.
John - For your first one I don't think you could pick a better villain to play Abanazar - he's got the most meat.
Are you looking forward to being a villain?
Jason - Oh definitely. You've got to remember, I'm used to being the villain. I'm the nation's villain. I wear it well, I enjoy it. Because villain's do have a lot more fun. They say blondes do, but it's actually villains. We have a great time. And everyone loves to hate a villain don't they? So I'll definitely be milking the boos and the hisses.
John - Also with your TV persona, you can do the least look - the smallest look - it's a wilting moment. You throw that in there and it's going to be fabulous. One little disparaging look and a sigh and the kids will go bananas.
Jason - What's interesting is, just from the TV show, I am absolutely huge with kids and old women. They love it. They come up and say 'Love you - you're the best. You say exactly what's on my mind.' Kids really like naughtiness don't they? They tap in to naughtiness, they understand naughtiness. I will definitely be giving them exactly what they want.
John - you're always on the kid's side.
John - I love it because, that feeling of coming out the winner at the end is always fantastic. But I do envy the baddie I have to say. Sometimes you see them go and it looks effortless.
You're a seasoned choreographer Jason, will you be lending your expertise?
Jason - It will be hard for me to bite my lip - that's my background. I've done choreography for over a decade. But what is nice is I also like to work with choreographers. As a dancer I have worked with some of the best choreographers in the world and that is always a lovely challenge, to be their instrument and pull off their style. Matt Cole who will be choreographing our panto is brilliant. I know there will be times when he defers to me - and I will always throw in my two cents. It's like a comic throwing in some of his own jokes.
John - And I will be showing Jason some of my moves. When choreography starts they normally say, 'John, just step back, legs together, clap'. I'll walk you through that Jason.
Will there be singing from the pair of you?
John - I hope so. Obviously I've got the song sheet at the end. It's great and it throws some amazing things at you - some touching things. I remember one year I said to one kid - you always get the tiny, tiny one at the end and he's generally the butt of the jokes - so I said 'What do you want for Christmas?' and this little girl said 'I just want everyone to stop fighting'. Gasps in the audience. And all I could say is 'Well here's your bag of sweets, goodnight God bless' [starts lip quivering].
Jason - I believe I am and there is also going to dancing as well. Abanazar is all-singing and all-dancing apparently.
With your style guru status, what are you thoughts on the costumes Jason?
Jason - We've worked on Abanazar. He's like Twilight meets The Matrix meets Chicago. I don't think Abanazar has been quite so edgy.
John - It's the very first time I've seen an Abanazar like it. It's a fantastic costume. It's so modern - it's a much more up to date costume. Kids are watching things like Twilight.
Jason - It's today, it's what we associate as villains today. The big collars and things like that, it's great, but it's been done. So let's have a look at what resonates with youth culture today. They'll relate to it more and I wanted to make sure that we connected with a more to day audience.
Will there be costume changes?
Jason - I'm big on accessories. I think Abanazar will be accessorising to death.
Will there be plenty of jokes for the adults too?
John - Oh yeah. I always like to mention whoever the Chief of Police is and bring the Mayor in and things. The mums and dads get that. Whatever's in the news really - I like to put all that stuff in. The Jungle program too - that always seems to coincide with when we do panto. We always try to make it topical from that point of view.
It is a hard rehearsal schedule for such a huge show - usually only about 10 days. Is that daunting?
Jason - Coming from a theatre background we normally have four-six weeks to put on something like this. Of course I'm entering into this thinking 'Oh my Lord, what have I done!'.
John - There is normally a point, usually during dress rehearsal, when you think 'This isn't going to be ready'. But then the crew here are absolutely sensational and they get everything sorted so you come on and the lighting's great, the pyros go off - it's sensational. And this is a glitzy panto. Cinderella and this one are the glitzy pantos with explosions and everything else.
Is it a hard slog doing so many shows over a demanding schedule?
Jason - It's a discipline. Sometimes you wake up and you just can't face it. You're having a hard day and you just can't go out there but you've got to deliver. It is a discipline. But I think having come from that background, it's all muscle memory - that'll all come back. Even doing live television, you can't have an off day doing live television. Especially when you're doing morning breakfast television.
John - It's my six weeks of SlimFast.
Jason - There is that thing we call Dr Footlights. The moment you put that make-up and costume on, it's not you. How Jason was feeling, when he sat in that make-up chair in the dressing room, is not how he'll feel when he becomes Abanazar. Because Abanazar will love it.
John - Sometimes you get to the end and you do the song sheet and you think 'That has flown!'
Jason - And you're ready to do it again!
What would you describe Aladdin to encourage people to come and see it?
John - A fantastic fight between good and evil with a glitzy Abanazar who is going to accessorise to death.
Jason - I don't know how to sell something I haven't seen. There's no denying that (producers) QDos are the best at doing this, and I know I'm in really good hands for my first one. So at this point I would say, if you wanted to come and see a great romping panto that has everything in it, then come to Aladdin in Llandudno.
John - That's it. Don't use mine, use that!
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Aladdin will be showing at Venue Cymru in Llandudno between December 10-31. For more information or to book tickets contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit the website at www.venuecymru.co.uk