TALKING TO LUCY BENJAMIN – OH NO IT ISN’T, OH YES IT IS!
Robin Hood arrives at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for panto season this December. Hurrah! We caught up with EastEnders and Detectorists favourite Lucy Benjamin, who reprises her role as the resident baddie, the oh-so cruel Sheriff of Nottingham (boo, hiss).
AFTER APPEARING IN LAST YEAR’S PRODUCTION OF CINDERELLA AS THE WICKED STEPMOTHER, YOU RETURN TO GUILDFORD TO PLAY THE DASTARDLY SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM IN THIS YEARS PANTO, ROBIN HOOD; HOW ARE YOU FEELING? READY FOR THE FUN TO COMMENCE?
Yeah. Before you start you always think, ‘I don’t know how we’re going to get through this’. It’s a big workload and we do so many shows a week, so you have to take stock and prepare yourself.
I absolutely loved being part of the show last year. I loved being in Guildford and I was really proud of what the theatre produced, in as much as they have such great production values and it’s all done in-house. It was a real collaborative experience and that’s what I loved about it last year and I’m thrilled to be back down and hopefully to produce some really good stuff again this year.
A lot of pantos that you do, sometimes there’s a sense that it’s just a money-making machine, you know, churn it out and hope for the best. I really got a sense last year that they really care at the Yvonne Arnaud and I think it comes across on stage. It was such a good show and it’s down to Jo (Joanna Read, Yvonne Arnaud Director) loving it so much herself and being hugely involved. There is a real sense of care about it, so I’m thrilled to be back.
HOW DOES ONE PREPARE FOR SUCH AN INFAMOUS ROLE, AS THE SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM? HAVE YOU BEEN STEALING SWEETS FROM KIDS OR ANYTHING NAUGHTY LIKE THAT?
I’m going to do it in the same vein, in that she’s just a revolting human being. I’m going to find some truth in just her being revolting. You have to dip into the nastiest side of you that you can possibly imagine to be and just use that really.
But it’s more about resonating with people about how they find her vile, and really extending that, making it bigger and more elaborate, I just want her to be absolutely revolting!
What I love about her, is that in her mind, she thinks taking peoples money is for their benefit, she’s doing this for charity purposes because she believes that they need their lives taken control of and that’s what she’s there to do. She’s there to help them by taking their money off them – in her eyes it’s a good deed, all for a good cause!
AS TOUCHED UPON, YOU APPEARED IN LAST YEARS PANTO AT THE YVONNE ARNAUD; ARE YOU EXCITED TO COME BACK TO THE TOWN AND SEE YOUR FELLOW CAST MATES, THE LOCAL LADS SEE MATT AND PETE AGAIN?
Can’t wait! We had a ball. We had an absolute blast last year and we worked together really well. We’ll have an absolute riot this year, I’m sure!
IN THE LITTLE SPARE TIME YOU HAVE, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IN GUILDFORD WHILE YOU’RE HERE?
It’s a lovely town. I’m looking forward to doing my Christmas shopping there again this year, because the shops are amazing. A real array and mixed bag of shops and I got some lovely gifts for my girls last year.
Literally, in between shows, it’s that kind of thing where you are just running out, trying to do you last minute shopping and get prepared for Christmas. It’s a lovely place to be… it’s just a really nice vibe in Guildford and I’m looking forward to being down that way and being part of the town.
EVEN THOUGH YOU’RE A DAB HAND AND PLAYING THE VILLAIN, WHO’S YOUR FAVOURITE KIND OF CHARACTER – HERO OR VILLAIN? AND CAN YOU NAME YOUR ALL-TIME FAVE HERO/VILLAIN?
To be honest it’s alway fun playing a baddy. I’ve played fairy godmother several times and Cinderella’s. I’d only played a baddie once before last year, but I have to say the hero of the piece is often the baddie. That probably says more about me than anything else. But my heroes are when they do their damage and they’re kind of really bad, there’s something quite heroic about it – in a weird kind of way (laughing).
TOP OF YOUR CHRISTMAS WISH LIST?
A nice new dressing gown. Really fluffy, warm and comforting.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT CHRISTMAS?
My favourite thing is the food and eating it without any guilt and to your hearts content… afternoon naps because you’re so stuffed and can’t breathe… and being with my girls and seeing them opening their presents.
ALL TIME FAVOURITE FAIRYTALE?
There’s something about Hansel & Gretel for some reason. I don’t know whether it sticks in my mind because of the sweet house. When they go into the forest, the naivety looking for this magical thing and being enticed in. It’s got all the elements of good and bad.
It stays in your heart as this fearful tale. I remember having a beautiful illustrated, Hans Christian Andersen book as a child and I just loved turning the pages of this big book of tales.
YVONNE ARNAUD PRESENTS
ROBIN HOOD
NOVEMBER 30 – JANUARY 5
BOOK TICKETS, yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
