The much-loved actor, Tim Stedman, returns for his 21st pantomime at Harrogate Theatre this year as Buttons and promises an evening of laughter and a little bit of magic.
The cast and crew are busy at Harrogate Theatre preparing to return to the stage later this month with a pantomime classic, Cinderella.
Regular panto goers will be delighted to see Tim Stedman return. He has performed at Harrogate Theatre every festive season since 2000 – only missing last year due to covid.
He said the love from the audience and the hard work of the production team keep him coming back:
“I think Harrogate [theatre] does it properly with magic, with a twinkle in its eye, and the story is king. You could come and watch it and not hear the gags or see my comedic dancing and still leave saying that’s a lovely story.
People think of Harrogate as a chocolate box of a town, wonderful and idyllic, and they’re very good at the theatre of thinking that’s how the pantomime should be.. it’s magical here.”
Mr Stedman said returning after taking a break last year has made him more eager than ever to take to the stage.
He promised plenty of comedy sketches, romance and even a whoopee cushion or two!
Some of the panto cast during rehearsals this week.
Over the years, Mr Stedman has performed in Jack and the Beanstalk and Aladdin but says with audiences falling in love with his characters brings added pressure:
“I still enjoy it as much as I did 20 years ago, but coming back each year does mean I feel the pressure a little bit.
I have to be funny and everything the audience expects and especially after being hidden away for two years really we need to make sure we do it right.”
Read more:
- Boroughbridge Hightimers return with Cinderella pantomime
- Harrogate Theatre appoints new panto director after tragic death
Mr Stedman kept tight-lipped about all the surprises and twists and turns in this year’s production but promised audiences the family-friendly, hilarious pantomime they have come to expect in Harrogate.
“It’s very funny; the ugly sisters are very funny, the prince is drop-dead gorgeous, our Cinderella looks fab. I think it’s going to be great, everyone loves Cinderella!”
Mr Stedman may say that the audience needs to love the story – but to many he is the main attraction and his talent guarantees a great panto every year.
Get ready to boo, hiss, shout and sing this November as the pantomime gets underway from November 26.
If you want to get in the mood ahead of the panto, check out our Panto Stories performed by Tim Stedman.
To find out what other events like this are on in the Harrogate district, check out our What’s On page.
