INTERVIEW: TALKING PANTO WITH GOK WAN
Panto is BACK! Arriving in a whirlwind of tinsel and tights, Gok Wan stars as The Man in the Mirror in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre this Christmas. Here’s what that Man, Gok Wan has to say about it all…
HOW DID YOU GET INTO PANTOMIME?
I’ve dreamt of being on stage forever. I first began to think about Panto some years back. I was fascinated. Then one evening, maybe 2012 or 2013, I was with Lionel Blair and the very naughty Louie Spence. They said I really should give it a try. I spoke with my Agent and Channel Four also got involved. I first met Snow White then. There have been other pantos since then but it’s really great to be back with Snow White.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER. WHAT IS THE MAN IN THE MIRROR LIKE TO PLAY?
Man in the mirror? It sounds like a piece of furniture! I’m not and it isn’t! The script is amazing. I finished re-reading it again this morning – the tradition has again been tweaked for the twenty-twenties and I’m excited. The mirror has messages. The mirror motivates. The mirror is magic.
AND YOUR COSTUME – DO YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL OPINION ABOUT IT?
Do I have an opinion? Oh yes I do! I like it. I was encouraged from the start to contribute input, although the designer anticipated so much that my suggestions could be called incidental. There’s a vital aspect though and one I insist on. An aspect that’s seen and unseen – the fit! My costume has to fit and over the Christmas period that could mean adjustments. It’s gotta be done.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRE-SHOW, DRESSING ROOM, RITUALS?
Hah! And not only in the dressing room! Yes, I’m superstitious and my rituals – as you call them – go on throughout the performance; I don’t leave them to lurk alone in the dressing room. What can I tell you? Ahh, there’s ‘first on stage.’ Of course there is going to be stage crew but I like to be the first cast member on stage before a performance. What else? There are others. This year in Snow White I am required to fly and when I’m up high, without fail, I whisper a hello to my Mum. I love the flying bit. Love it, love it.
WHAT IS THE SECRET TO A GREAT PANTOMIME?
There are three ‘secrets’: the first is definitely the audience; the second is likely to be the audience and the third, in my experience, is probably the audience. I like to open the show, to greet and welcome everyone and I can predict within 20 seconds just what sort of evening it will be. People have probably had tensions at work, frustrations with traffic, delays or hold-ups – it’s important to me that everyone feels wanted.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO WOKING BEFORE?
I don’t think so…. but the multi-story looked familiar. And I suspect I’ll get to know it better. I’ll enjoy Woking. My home’s London and so I’ll probably commute. I like town and city life. The hustle, the bustle, the noise, the rush, the dirt, the energy, sweat, the crowds. I am absolutely a town ‘n city boy. I was brought up and lived over a restaurant so it’s what I am used to.
YOU ARE SHORTLY RETURNING TO TV WITH A NEW SERIES CALLED BLING. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
I’ve just finished filming. I believe you can expect, and get, a lot from the series. It’s daytime and about jewellery which can mean so much more than ‘an accessory’ – so often there is special significance attached to a piece. The series sparkles with stories, memories and emotion, as well as amazing technical skills, evaluations and explanations. It is fascinating. I learned a lot.
AND FINALLY WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT PANTOMIME?
I’m still learning about pantomime but I knew from the start my favourite part is the audience. They are the headline act – no-one is bigger than tonight’s audience.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS, VISIT WWW.ATGTICKETS.COM